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Labor Force
The civilian labor force in Ouachita Parish has grown 12.3
percent over the last decade. Currently there are 75,800 people in the
Ouachita Parish labor force and double that amount in the surrounding
region (150,890.)
In the last year, the non-agricultural employment in the parish has
grown by 2,600 persons or 3.6 percent. This has resulted in a more
skilled labor force from which businesses can draw employees.
Manufacturing employment has stayed in the 11 to 12 percent range
over the last several years, after having seen a significant growth due
to several major expansions and new start-ups. Current data has it at
13.8 percent, higher than the state's average of 9.8 percent.
The services and retail sectors continue to be the largest sectors, following both state and national trends.
| Parish |
72,000 |
64,100 |
12.3% |
75,800 |
| Region |
144,800 |
128,350 |
12.8% |
150,890 |
| Louisiana |
2,029,600 |
1,837,200 |
10.5% |
2,090,800 |
|
|
| Parish |
68,900 |
60,300 |
14.3% |
71,300 |
| Region |
136,610 |
119,780 |
14.1% |
140,350 |
| Louisiana |
1,917,100 |
1,720,600 |
11.4% |
1,961,900 |
| Parish |
4.3% |
5.9% |
|
5.9% |
| Region |
5.7% |
6.7% |
|
7.5% |
| Louisiana |
5.5% |
6.3% |
|
6.2% |
| Agriculture |
0.6% |
1.7% |
1.0% |
| Mining |
0.3% |
0.2% |
2.6% |
| Construction |
5.8% |
5.9% |
7.3% |
| Manufacturing |
11.5% |
13.8% |
9.8% |
| Transp./Utility |
6.4% |
6.6% |
7.2% |
| Wholesale Trade |
5.2% |
4.3% |
5.2% |
| Retail Trade |
19.3% |
18.4% |
19.2% |
| Fire |
7.4% |
6.0% |
4.6% |
| Services |
39.2% |
37.7% |
37.5% |
| Public Admin. |
4.4% |
5.4% |
5.5% |
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