While Metro Denver has an optimistic forecast for 2012, what does that mean for Commerce City? Let’s take a closer look at Commerce City apart from the metro Denver area.
In 2011, Commerce City saw signs of a mild economic resurgence, which raises our hopes for 2012 and the future. According to Commerce City Finance Director, Roger Tinklenberg, sales activity in Commerce City rose by 10.9% in 2011 compared with sales in 2010. (This report is based on sales tax remittances only and does not include audit revenue.) But sales weren’t the only place we saw signs of economic improvement!
COMMERCE CITY PROFILE* 2010 2011 POPULATION 54,671 55,567 HOUSEHOLDS 17,049 17,344 AVERAGE HH INCOME $ 65,944 $ 66,658*within the boundaries of Commerce City, enclaves included. ESRI Business Analyst
Despite the housing slow-down, the population continued to increase in Commerce City with a growth rate of 1.6% in 2011. There were 896 additional residents and 295 additional households in 2011. Population growth is expected to continue at a rate of 1.7% per year through 2015 – well ahead of the state average of 1.17% and national average of .67%.
According to the Metro North Chamber of Commerce Housing Update breakfast, while the housing market remained slow, Commerce City was one of the few areas in the Denver Metro Area that continued to build and sell new homes. There were 116 new homes built in 2011 in the city.
The 2010 Census now shows Commerce City as the 19th largest municipality in Colorado, moving up seven places from 2000 census findings.
Incomes are also expected to continue to increase by 2.99% - exceeding national average growth of 2.75%. Commerce City’s Average Household Income rose by over by $714 in 2011.
UNEMPLOYMENT:According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at its peak in 2010, unemployment in Commerce City reached a startling 16.7%. 2011 saw the beginning of a recovery in this area with the rate dropping to 14.2% by year end.
While the news is getting better, the unemployment rate is still well above the state unemployment rate of 7.9% and the national rate of 8.3%.
Unemployment Rate: 2010 2011 Colorado 8.9 7.9 Adams County 10.2 9.5 Commerce City 15.2 14.2 Pueblo 11.6 10.9 Greeley 12 10.7 Brighton 10.9 10.2 Aurora 10.8 9.7 Northglenn 10.4 9.7 Denver 9.7 9.2 Englewood 10.2 9 Wheat Ridge 10.2 8.9 Arvada 9.8 8.6 Lakewood 9.2 8 Thornton 8.3 7.7 Westminster 8.3 7.5 Broomfield 7.9 6.9 Boulder 8.2 6.8 Centennial 6.6 5.8* Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2012
Thanks to recent announcements, we are optimistic that this rate will continue to improve in 2012. The opening of King Soopers Marketplace in Reunion is expected to bring another 125 jobs to the city in 2012. Additionally, the expansions of Cummins, UE Compression and Precast Concepts will bring an estimated 225 construction jobs into the city plus they will slowly begin filling approximately 150 advanced manufacturing jobs at these companies.
EMPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHT: Commerce City added over 800 jobs in 2011!According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (Q2), the largest employment increases in 2011 occurred in construction with the addition of 512 jobs as the city saw a mild recovery in the market.
Employment Change by Industry: Construction: 512 Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction: 116 Public Administration: 98 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services: 81 Wholesale Trade: 74 Other Services (except Public Administration): 63 Accommodation and Food Services: 57 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing: 53 Retail Trade: 51 Management of Companies and Enterprises: 38 Manufacturing: 26 Information: 19 Utilities: 6 Finance and Insurance: -6 Health Care and Social Assistance: -10 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: -17 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting: -19 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation: -34 Educational Services: -62 Transportation & Warehousing: -109* Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Q2, 2011
By far, UPS remains the city’s largest employer with 2321 jobs. Newcomers to the top ten employers list included Safway Services and Old Dominion Freight Lines.
Top Ten Largest Employers UNITED PARCEL SERVICE ADAMS COUNTY SCHOOL DIST #14 FEDEX GROUND PACKAGE SYSTEM INC UNITED FOOD SERVICE INC CITY OF COMMERCE CITY FEDEX FREIGHT INC SUNCOR ENERGY USA INC OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINES SAFWAY SERVICES LLC WALMART* Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Q2, 2011
2012 FORECAST:The Commerce City Economic Development Department is optimistic about the city’s forecast in 2012. Across the country, the state and Metro Denver we see signs of slow economic recovery and Commerce City is well positioned to help lead the way. Commerce City’s 2012 Projections: • Population is projected to increase by 1.7% • Incomes are projected to increase by 2.99% • Unemployment and Job Growth are both expected to continue to see improvement due to new development and business expansions in the city. • New home growth is expected to see a very mild increase in 2012.
We look forward to another exciting year helping our city and businesses grow and thrive!