Central Regional

Community Fact Book

Middlesex County Edition

New Jersey Department of Labor

and Workforce Development

Division of Labor Market and

Demographic Research

December 2005
 Preface

T he Regional Community Fact Book for Middlesex County provides a

snapshot of its people and its economy. Included are facts and fig-
ures on current industry trends, population, unemployment and income. The
Fact Book also provides a look into the future and provides the latest popu-
lation, labor force, industry and occupational projections.

The Regional Community Fact Book series is meant to be a reference

for use in local and regional economic development planning and for employ-
ment and training providers. Fact Books will be published annually for New
Jersey’s 21 counties, grouped into three regions (northern, central and
southern).

Acknowledgements

This publication was prepared by Anntionette Blackston and Vin Samuel

of the Bureau of Labor Market Information, Division of Labor Market and
Demographic Research. Layout was done by Chester S. Chinsky.

Questions regarding information contained in this publication should

be directed to Anntionette Blackston by phone at (609) 292-2572 or by e-
mail: anntionette.blackston@dol.state.nj.us.

To obtain copies of this publication or other county editions, please

contact Lester Wright by phone at (609) 292-7567 or by e-mail:
lester.wright @dol.state.nj.us.
 Table of Contents

County Snapshot .................................................................................... 1

Industry Trends, Middlesex vs. New Jersey ................................ 2

Employment ............................................................................................ 5

Employment Gains and Losses ........................................................... 6

Wages ...................................................................................................... 7

Per Capita Personal Income ............................................................... 8

Unemployment Rates ........................................................................... 8

Characteristics of the Unemployed ................................................. 9

Population ...............................................................................................10

Population Projections ......................................................................... 11

Industry Projections ...........................................................................12

Projected Occupational Demand.......................................................13

Labor Force Projections .....................................................................14

 County Snapshot
Central Region
Population (July 1, 2004 estimate): 785,100
Change from Census 2000: +34,900 or + 4.6%
Somerset Percent of New Jersey Total: 9.0%
Middlesex

Monmouth
Total Private Sector
Mercer
Employment (2004): 785,095
Percent of New Jersey Total: 10.3%
Change from 1999: -5,100
Ocean

Largest Industry (2004): Trade/Transportation/

Utilities
Trade/Transportation/Utilities Employment: 96,189

Private Sector Wage (2004 annual average): $50,100

Percent of New Jersey Average: 106.7%
Change From 1999: +$6,900

Industry With Highest Average Annual

Wage (2004): Information: $73,002

Per Capita Personal Income (2003): $38,100

Percent of New Jersey Per Capita Income: 96.3%

Number of Unemployment Insurance Claimants (2004 annual average)

average): 7,738

Unemployment Rate (2004 annual average): 4.5%

5-year High (2003): 5.4%
5-year Low (2000): 3.4%
New Jersey Rate (2004): 4.8%

Building Permits (single-family residential,2004): 1,899

Rank Among New Jersey Counties: 4

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 1

 Industry Trends, Middlesex vs. New Jersey
∑ From 1999 to 2004, total private sector employment declined in Middlesex County by
1.5 percent compared to a slight growth of 0.7 percent in the state. Total private
sector employment in Middlesex County peaked during 2001, a year later than the
state, then began a decline that continued to 2004. Meanwhile, the state began to
recover some of its private sector employment losses in 2003.

∑ Over the 5-year period (1999 – 2004), employment in Middlesex County financial ac-
tivities sector declined, but jobs in this sector expanded in the state. One contributor
to the county’s loss of financial jobs was the transfer of Merrill Lynch employees from
a Middlesex County office to a new campus in Mercer County.

∑ The county’s information sector expanded until 2002 compared with the state’s
employment which peaked in 2001. Although there was a decline of jobs on both the
state and county levels, the state (-20.4%) lost jobs at a faster rate than the county
(-0.3%).

∑ From 1999-2004, Middlesex County’s trade/transportation/utilities sector developed

jobs at a more rapid rate (+3.9%) than the state (+0.5%). This growth can be attrib-
uted to hiring by the many distribution centers located in the county.
∑ While statewide employment in the leisure and hospitality sector increased from 1999
through 2004, employment in this sector began a 1999-2001 downturn in the county.
And from 2001 through 2004, leisure and hospitality employment grew at a much slower
rate despite the opening of new businesses in the county.

Middlesex County and New Jersey Middlesex County and New Jersey
Total Private Sector Employment: 1999-2004 Construction Employment: 1999-2004
106 130

125
104
120

115
102
110

105
100
100
(1999=100) (1999=100)
98 95
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Middlesex New Jersey Middlesex New Jersey

Note: Use of an index facilitates comparison between two separate data lines.

2 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Industry Trends, Middlesex vs. New Jersey

Middlesex County and New Jersey Middlesex County and New Jersey
Manufacturing Employment: 1999-2004 Trade, Transportation & Utilities Employment: 1999-2004
105 106

100
104
95

90 102

85
100
80
(1999=100) (1999=100)
75 98
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Middlesex New Jersey Middlesex New Jersey

Middlesex County and New Jersey Middlesex County and New Jersey
Information Employment: 1999-2004 Financial Activities Employment: 1999-2004
115 110

110
105
105
100
100

95 95

90
90
85
85
80
(1999=100) (1999=100)
75 80
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Middlesex New Jersey Middlesex New Jersey

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 3

 Industry Trends, Middlesex vs. New Jersey

Middlesex County and New Jersey Middlesex County and New Jersey
Professional & Business Services Employment: 1999-2004 Education & Health Services Employment: 1999-2004
110 125

120
105
115

100 110

105
95
100
(1999=100) (1999=100)
90 95
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Middlesex New Jersey Middlesex New Jersey

Middlesex County and New Jersey Middlesex County and New Jersey
Leisure & Hospitality Employment: 1999-2004 Other Services Employment: 1999-2004
115 120

110 115

105 110

100 105

95 100

(1999=100) (1999=100)
90 95
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Middlesex New Jersey Middlesex New Jersey

4 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Employment

Middlesex County
Total Private Sector Employment: 1999 — 2004
360,000

350,000
B
B B
B
340,000
B
B
330,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

∑ Over a five-year period (1999-2004), Middlesex County’s largest loss of total pri-
vate sector employment was in 2002 (-15,000). Since then the county has lost jobs
at a much slower rate. In 2003 and 2004 the loss of total private sector employment
was 6,400 and 2,700 respectively.

Middlesex County
Total Employment by Industry: 1999 & 2004
Construction

Manufacturing

Trade/Transp./Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Prof./Business Services

Educ./Health Services

Leisure/Hospitality

Other Services

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000

2004 1999

∑ Trade, transportation and utilities was the largest employment sector in Middlesex
county during 2004. This was followed by professional and business services. “Other”
services, which includes repair and maintenance services, personal and laundry ser-
vices, and religious, grantmaking, civic, and professional organizations, was the smallest
sector in the county during 2004.

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 5

 Employment Gains and Losses
Middlesex County, Private Sector
Net Job Growth by Industry: 1999 — 2004
8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

-2,000

-4,000

-6,000

-8,000

-10,000

-12,000
Construction Manufact- Trade/ Information Financial Prof./ Education/ Leisure/ Other
uring Transport./ Activities Business Health Hospitality Services
Utilities Services Services

∑ Educational and health services (+5,648) produced the most jobs from 1999 to 2004,
followed by trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,612). Manufacturing employment
decreased by 10,856.

Middlesex County, Private Sector

Gains, Losses and Net Growth by Industry: 2003
7,500

6,000

4,500

3,000

1,500

-1,500
Construction Manufact- Trade/ Information Financial Prof./ Education/ Leisure/ Other
uring Transport./ Activities Business Health Hospitality Services
Utilities Services Services

GAINS LOSSES NET

Source: Local Employment Dynamics (LED) data from the US Census Bureau.

∑ Despite only small net gains, industries can generate significant number of job open-
ings during a year. In 2003 (latest data available), leisure and hospitality posted the
largest net employment gain in the county. While trade, transportation and utilities
had the largest number of new job openings, the sector also experienced large losses
that contributed to a net loss of jobs in that sector. The volatility can be explained
by the high turnover rate in the retail industry. Retail trade accounts for 43 percent
of the county’s jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

6 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Wages

Middlesex County, Private Sector

Average Annual Wage: 1999 — 2004
$55,000

$50,877
$50,000 $49,565
$47,921 $47,757
$46,742

$45,000 $44,008

$40,000

$35,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

∑ The annual average private sector wage in Middlesex County reached $50,877 in 2004,
an increase of 15.6 percent from the average of $44,008 posted in 1999.

∑ The county’s annual average wage exceeded the state’s annual average wage ($47,639)
by 6.8 percent in 2004.

Middlesex County and New Jersey, Private Sector

Average Annual Wage by Industry: 2004
Total Private Sector

Construction

Manufacturing

Trade/Transp./Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Prof./Business Services

Education/Health Services

Leisure/Hospitality

Other Services

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000

Middlesex County New Jersey

∑ In Middlesex County, jobs in the information sector paid the highest wages ($73,002),
while jobs in leisure and hospitality paid the lowest wages ($17,914) during 2004.
This wide disparity in wages could be explained by the seasonal nature and basic skills
required by jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector compared with the higher skills
requirements and permanent character of jobs in the information sector. Besides
information, professional and business services, financial activities, and construction
also paid wages above $60,000.
Middlesex County Community Fact Book 7
 Per Capita Personal Income
∑ In 2003, Middlesex County’s per capita Middlesex County and New Jersey
income was $38,096 an increase of 0.7 Per Capita Personal Income: 1998 — 2003
$45,000
percent from 2002. The state’s per capita
personal income in 2003 was $39,577, up
1.5 percent from 2002. Middlesex County $40,000

ranked ninth highest in New Jersey and $ $ $

$
ranked 103 out of all the 3,111 counties in $35,000

$ $
the United States.
$30,000

∑ Net earnings by place of residence in- $25,000 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
creased by 2.5 percent in the county com-
pared with 3.4 percent in the state from New Jersey $ Middlesex
2002 to 2003. However, dividends, inter-
est, and rent in the county increased at a faster rate than in New Jersey (3.0% vs. 2.6%).
Personal current transfer receipts (payments such as pension, disability and unemploy-
ment made to individuals by government) increased at a slower pace in the county than in
the state (1.4 % vs. 2.1%).

Unemployment Rates

Middlesex County and New Jersey

∑ Middlesex County’s unemployment has con-
sistently maintained an unemployment rate
Unemployment Rate Trends: 1998 — 2004 below that of the state.
7.0

6.5

6.0
B B ∑ From 1998 to 2004, the county’s labor
5.5 J J force grew by 6,200 or 1.5 percent, com-
5.0
B B BJ pared with 3.7 percent growth in the
4.5
B state’s civilian labor force.
4.0

3.5
J J BJ J
3.0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

B New Jersey J Middlesex

8 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Characteristics of the Unemployed
Middlesex County
Unemployment Insurance Claimants: 2003-2004
2003 2004
Annual Annual Change 2003-2004
Category Average Average Number Percent
Total Insured Unemployed 8,541 7,738 -803 -9.4
By Gender
Male 4,880 4,485 -395 -8.1
Female 3,661 3,254 -407 -11.1
By Race
White 5,056 4,693 -363 -7.2
Black 1,109 1,076 -33 -3.0
Asian 801 624 -177 -22.1
Other 1,575 1,346 -229 -14.5
By Ethnicity
Hispanic 1,754 1,659 -95 -5.4
Not Hispanic 6,101 5,552 -549 -9.0
Chose Not To Answer 687 528 -159 -23.1
By Age of Claimant
Under 25 378 525 147 38.9
25 through 34 1,922 1,740 -182 -9.5
35 through 44 2,384 2,033 -351 -14.7
45 through 54 2,069 1,830 -239 -11.6
55 through 64 1,307 1,201 -106 -8.1
65 and over 481 409 -72 -15.0
By Industry
Construction 813 798 -15 -1.8
Manufacturing 1,172 1,173 1 0.1
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 1,825 1,712 -113 -6.2
Wholesale Trade 573 486 -87 -15.2
Retail Trade 843 768 -75 -8.9
Information 295 304 9 3.1
Financial Activities 431 412 -19 -4.4
Professional and Business Services 1,685 1,437 -248 -14.7
Educational and Health Services 633 639 6 0.9
Leisure and Hospitality 361 401 40 11.1
Other Services 156 157 1 0.6
Government and Other 1,170 705 -465 -39.7

∑ In 2004, the number of individuals claiming unemployment insurance went down by

803 or 9.4 percent due to better economic conditions in the county. The over- the
-year decline in female unemployment insurance claims was 407 or 11.1 percent. The
number of claims also decreased among whites by 363 or 7.2 percent and in the 35-
44 age group by 351 or 14.7 percent.

∑ The number of unemployment insurance claimants dropped the most in the follow-
ing industries: government and other (-465 or -39.7%) professional and business
services (-248 or -14.7%) and trade, transportation and utilities (-113 or -6.2%).

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 9

 Population
∑ From 1970 through 2004, Middlesex Middlesex County
County’s population expanded by 201,300 Total Population: 1970 — 2004
900,000
to reach a total population of 785,100 and
850,000
grew faster than the state (34.9% vs. 800,000
21.3%). From 2000 to 2004, Middlesex 750,000
County’s net international migration 700,000
ranked second in the state, behind Hudson 650,000

County. 600,000
550,000
500,000
450,000
400,000
1970 1980 1990 2000 2004

Middlesex County ∑ In 2004, whites made up 67 percent of the

Racial/Hispanic Origin: 2000 - 2004 county’s population compared with the state’s
Percent Percent 77 percent. Blacks accounted for 10 percent
Race in 2000 in 2004 in the county compared with 14 percent of
White 74.5 67.0 the state’s population. The Asian population
Black 9.8 10.0 in the county contributed 17.5 percent which
Asian 14.2 17.5 was more than double that of the state’s
Multiracial 1.2 1.4 seven percent. Hispanics represented 16 per-
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.3 0.3 cent of the county’s population while account-
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.1 0.0
ing for 15 percent of the state’s population.
Total* 100.0 100.0
Hispanic Origin (may be of any race) 13.6 16.0
* May not add to 100% due to rounding

∑ Since 1970, Edison and Woodbridge have Middlesex County

been the largest municipalities in the Ten Largest Municipalities
county. From 1970 – 2004, the fastest Rank Municipality Population
growing municipality in the county was 1 Woodbridge Township 100,866
Monroe Township whose population in- 2 Edison 100,138
creased from 9,200 in 1970 to reach 3 Old Bridge Township 63,663
31,500 in 2004. This represents an in- 4 Piscataway Township 52,055
5 New Brunswick City 49,803
crease of 242.4 percent in Monroe’s popu-
6 Perth Amboy City 48,447
lation.
7 East Brunswick Township 48,337
8 Sayreville Borough 42,064
9 South Brunswick Township 40,181
10 North Brunswick Township 38,404

10 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Population Projections
∑ Middlesex County’s population is expected Middlesex County
to increase by 86,200 from 2002 to 2012. Population Projections: 2002 — 2012
900,000
The county is projected to grow faster than
850,000
the state (11.2 % vs. 8.1%). According to 800,000
the projections, Middlesex County will be 750,000
the second most populous county in the 700,000

state by 2012. 650,000

600,000

550,000

500,000

450,000

400,000
2002* 2007** 2012**
*estimate **projection

Middlesex County
∑ The largest age group, 45-64 years, is pro-
Projections for Select Age Groups: 2002 — 2012 jected to experience the fastest growth
250,000 of 24.5 percent, while the 15-24 year old
200,000
age group is expected to grow by 14.6 per-
cent. In contrast, the age group comprising
150,000
persons 25-44 years old will contract by
100,000 10,500 or 4.2 percent.
50,000

0
0-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+

2002* 2012**
*estimate **projection

∑ According to the 2002-2012 projections, Middlesex County

Middlesex County will continue to grow in Projected Population Growth
racial diversity. “Other races” (includes by Race, 2002 - 2012
70
Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native and 60
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) are pro- 50
jected to grow the fastest (66.3%) while 40
Percent

the county’s white population is projected 30

to decline by 1.8 percent over the decade.
20

10

-10
White Black Other Races Multi-Racial

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 11

 Industry Projections
Middlesex County, 2002 - 2012
Ten Industries with the Greatest Employment Growth
Change: 2002-2012
2002 2012 Percent
Industry Title Jobs Jobs Number Total Annual
Administrative and support services 40,700 56,950 16,250 39.9 3.3
Professional and technical services 38,900 47,900 9,000 23.1 2.1
Ambulatory heatlh care services 11,100 15,400 4,300 38.6 3.2
Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods 14,250 17,400 3,150 22.0 2.0
Merchant wholesalers, durable goods 15,800 18,800 3,000 19.0 1.7
Nursing and residental care facilities 4,100 6,400 2,350 57.1 4.4
Membership associations and organizations 7,050 9,100 2,050 28.9 2.5
Hospitals 13,400 15,350 1,900 14.3 1.3
State government educational services 17,000 18,900 1,900 11.2 1.1
Local government educational services 18,750 20,650 1,900 10.0 1.0

∑ According to the industry projections, Middlesex County is expected to add 56,450

jobs from 2002-2012. Total nonfarm payroll employment is projected to increase by
13.4 percent compared with a corresponding increase of 12 percent in the state.

∑ Administrative and support services is projected to add over 16,000 jobs. This
projected increase may be due to companies outsourcing job duties that would have
normally been performed by the company’s employees.

Middlesex County, 2002 - 2012

Ten Industries with the Greatest Employment Declines
Change: 2002-2012
2002 2012 Percent
Industry Title Jobs Jobs Number Total Annual
Chemical manufacturing 15,950 14,700 -1,250 -7.7 -0.8
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing 3,400 2,600 -800 -24.0 -2.8
Machinery manufacturing 2,150 1,350 -800 -36.7 -4.7
Computer and electronic product manufacturing 3,700 3,200 -550 -14.3 -1.6
Local government, excl. hospitals & schools 11,600 11,100 -500 -4.5 -0.5
Paper manufacturing 3,200 2,850 -350 -11.2 -1.2
Accommodations 2,400 2,050 -350 -13.6 -1.5
State government, excl. hospitals & schools 4,050 3,700 -350 -8.2 -0.9
Food manufacturing 2,350 2,150 -200 -7.8 -0.8
Apparel manufacturing 800 600 -150 -21.0 -2.4

∑ Manufacturing employment will continue to decline while service-producing jobs be-

come more prevalent in the county by 2012. The projected manufacturing loss is a
consequence of company relocations and/or outsourcing of production activities to
other areas of the state, the nation and abroad.

12 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

 Projected Occupational Demand

Middlesex County
Occupations With The Most Projected Job Openings, 2002-2012
2004
Annual Average Job Openings Annual Skill
1 2
Occupation Total Growth Replacements Wage Level Outlook
Packers and Packagers, Hand 480 290 180 $17,590 Low Good
Retail Salespersons 290 10 280 25,660 Low Average
Waiters and Waitresses 250 60 200 18,210 Low Below Avg.
Registered Nurses 250 140 110 57,330 High Good
Food 220 60 160 17,510 Low Good
Office Clerks, General 180 60 120 26,450 Low Good
Teacher Assistants 120 60 60 21,840 Low Good
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and
Material Movers, Hand 120 10 110 21,690 Low Good
Licensed Practical and Licensed
Vocational Nurses 120 70 50 42,720 Moderate Good
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attds. 110 70 40 23,890 Low Good
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers 110 0 110 22,980 Low Good
Receptionists and Information Clerks 100 50 50 24,920 Low Average
Child Care Workers 100 40 60 18,610 Low Below Avg.
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids
and Housekeeping Cleaners 90 30 60 22,660 Low Good
Customer Service Representatives 90 60 20 34,960 Low Average
Elementary School Teachers 90 20 80 52,570 High Below Avg.
General and Operations Managers 80 20 60 132,490 High Good
Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery
Services 80 40 40 30,940 Low Average
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and
Cosmetologists 80 20 50 21,970 Moderate Average
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and
Auditing Clerks 80 0 70 35,050 Low Average

1. "Growth" and "Replacements" may not add to "Total" due to rounding.

2. High Skills: Associate's degree or higher.

Moderate Skills: Long-term on-the-job training, work experience or post secondary/vocational/technical training.
Low Skills: Short-term or moderate-term on-the-job training, including up to 12 months of on-the-job experience and informal training.

∑ The hand packers and packagers occupation is projected to have the most job open-
ings (480 openings per year) due to the increase in the number of warehouses located
in the county. Retail salespersons are expected to have the second largest job open-
ings (290 per year). These occupations with the most replacement needs require fewer
skills and generally pay lower wages
∑ One demand occupation requiring higher skills is registered nurses (250 job openings
per year) as Middlesex County’s medical facilities expand their services. Another high-
skill occupation is general and operational managers for which 80 job openings are
projected per year.

Middlesex County Community Fact Book 13

 Labor Force Projections
∑ Whites are projected to contribute most Middlesex County
of the growth in the county’s workforce Projected Labor Force Growth
(74%) between 2002-2012. “Other races” by Race, 2002 - 2012
are expected to make up 16 percent of
workforce growth, Blacks are expected to Multi-Racial
Other Races
add nine percent and those of multi-racial 1%
16%
backgrounds (individuals claiming two or Black
more races) are projected to comprise one 9% White
percent of the growth in the labor force. 74%

Note: Multi-racial refers to persons that

are of two or more races. “Other races” in-
cludes Asian, American Indian/Alaska Na-
tive, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

Middlesex County
∑ During the period of 2002-2012, Non-His-
panics are expected to consist of 81.6 per-
Projected Labor Force Growth by
Hispanic Origin, 2002 - 2012 cent while persons of Hispanic origin are
expected to provide the remaining 18.4
Hispanic percent of growth in the county’s labor
18.4% force.

Non-Hispanic
81.6%

∑ Males will provide 55 percent of the growth Middlesex County

in the county’s labor force, while females Projected Labor Force Growth by
will make up 45 percent of the growth in Gender, 2002 - 2012
Middlesex County’s labor force from 2002
to 2012.

Male 45.0%
55.0% Female

14 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development