This article is part of an ongoing, county-by-county, industry overview of the Rural Capital Area. This article covers establishments, employment, and earnings in Caldwell County.
Establishments
Like many areas, the largest industry in Caldwell County by number of establishments is Restaurants and Other Eating Places (65 establishments) followed by Individual and Family Services (29 establishments).
Figure 1: Number of Establishments in Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
Of the industries with the most establishments, Individual and Family Services saw the most growth in Caldwell County, growing 19% from 2021 to 2023. Building Equipment Contractors also saw significant growth in the same period, increasing 13%. On the other hand, Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services decreased in establishments from 2021 to 2023.
Figure 2: Percent Change in Top Establishments, Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
Employment
Restaurants and Other Eating Places is also the largest industry group by number of employees in Caldwell County. Gas Stations are the second-largest industry by number of employees. All of the top three industries by employment in Caldwell have seen increases in employment since 2021.
Figure 3: Number of Employees by Industry, Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
By growth in employment, Other Specialty Trade Contractors saw some of the greatest changes from 2021 to 2023. Support Activities for Mining also saw substantial growth in employment from 2021 to 2023 while Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities has had a major decline in employment.
Figure 4: Growth in Employment, Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
However, Child Care Services, Beverage Manufacturing, and Automotive Repair and Maintenance all declined in employment, contrary to the growth trends in those industries seen in the state and nation as a whole.
Figure 5: Decline in Employment, Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
Earnings
Restaurants and Other Eating Places tops the list in Caldwell County as the industry with the most earnings ($7.4 million). General Medical and Surgical Hospitals appear in the second position ($6 million).
Figure 6: Earnings, Caldwell County, 2021 to 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2
One way to visualize industry earnings in Caldwell County is imagining all earnings from all industries as a hundred dollars. Of that hundred dollars, the top three industries comprise $14. The top seven industries produce about $30 altogether. The remaining $70 is produced by all other industries, meaning that earnings in Caldwell County are spread across a wide range of industries.
Figure 7: Earnings Visualized, Caldwell County, 2023
Source: Data Tactical Group, DTG 2024.Q2