Latest Bureau of Economic Research report shows growing gap between region's workers, jobs

POUGHKEEPSIE (June 16, 2016) – The gap between the number of people working in the Hudson Valley and the number of jobs located in the region continues to grow, according to the latest research from the Marist College Bureau of Economic Research, meaning more residents are commuting to New York City and elsewhere for work.

Across the seven-county region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester), 58.7 percent of all jobs held by residents were located here for the 2010-2014 study period. But the figure varies widely across the region’s counties, from a high of 74 percent in Sullivan to a low of 49.5 percent in Westchester, meaning more than half of that county’s jobs are based outside of the Hudson Valley. The figures for Dutchess and Ulster counties are 72.5 percent and 73.6 percent, respectively.

New York City is, by far, the largest source of jobs for Hudson Valley residents outside their home region, with Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and the New York’s Capital Region also providing significant numbers of jobs.

Among the report's other major findings, labor force participation among people age 55 and older increased over the study period, the latest for which data is available, while participation by those age 29 and younger decreased.

"Increased labor force participation among older people is consistent with the aging of the region’s population," said bureau Director Dr. Christy Huebner Caridi. "Combine that with the hit to retirement security in the form of job losses, stagnant home values, low interest rates, and other lingering effects of the Great Recession, and it makes sense that this group is working more."

The report also found an increase in the number of people working multiple jobs.

To see the complete "Commutation Trends in the Hudson Valley with County Level Detail, 2010-2014" report and other Bureau of Economic Research reports, visit the bureau’s website at marist.edu/management/bureau.