Phelps County (Table 3-6)

In 2010 the civilian labor force of Phelps County was comprised of 11,533 men and 9,690 women for a total of 21,223 persons in the force, an increase of 52.4 percent from 1980 (chart 3-16). The unemployment rate of the county in 1980 was 6.7 percent which remained steady in 1990 and 2000 with percentages of 6.9 and 6.5 respectively. Phelps County experienced an increase of 1.4 percent to 7.9 percent between 2000 and 2010 largely due to manufacturing jobs being moved overseas. 1,668 persons were considered unemployed in 2010. Chart 3-17 provides a graphic depiction of the unemployment rates from 1980 through 2010.

	Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 Census and 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-yr Estimates
	Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 Census and 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-yr Estimates

In 2010, 40.5 percent of those counted in the civilian noninstitutional population were not in the civilian labor force. This number is down by 6.2 percent from 1980. Notably, the percentage of males and females considered not in the labor force has decreased since 1980 by 3.8 percent and 9 percent respectively (chart 3-18).

	Source: 1980, 1990, 2000 Census and 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-yr Estimates