Insight Guide: Economic Impact
The College of Informatics has a very real and important impact on the regional economy. For example, an education from our various departments have a tangible salary impact:
- Business Informatics produces ~35 graduates a year (800+ total), earning $35-$60k per year. 85% stay in the region.
- Communication produces ~150 graduates a year, earning $35-$50k per year. 75% stay in the region.
- Computer Science produces ~35 graduates a year (3000+ total), earning $55-$62k per year. 90% stay in the region.
A Challenging Economic Climate
According to the Center for Economic Analysis and Development, the region continues to feel the effects of further economic declines, as job losses pile up and slumping industrial activity drag down the economy. In general, the regional economy has been in a decline since 2007, having suffered six monthly drops in the Leading Economic Index. Based on analysis of the Greater Cincinnati Current Conditions Index (CCI), the area economy is facing the most severe recession in several decades.
The area's last recession in 2001 lasted 18 months with an accompanying decline in the CCI of 4 percent. During that recession, the NKY/Greater Cincinnati area lost 13,500 jobs, a 1.3 percent decline, and the unemployment rate peaked at 5 percent. 
During the first 12 months of the current recession, the CCI has already declined by 4.4 percent and all indications are that it will continue to decline late into the year. So far the NKY/Greater Cincinnati area has lost about 4,300 jobs, a decline of 0.4 percent, and the unemployment rate is standing at 6.4 percent. However, forecasts are for the area to lose another 10,400 jobs in 2009 and the unemployment rate to average 7.6 percent for the year.
The People We Serve
At the same time the economy is placing unique pressures on the region, we're seeing meaningful increases in pre-college and college-age population in the region. Data courtesy of the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation.
| Population | Commonwealth | Northern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population 2003 (estimated) | 4,117,827 | 405,786 |
| Population 2000 Census | 4,041,769 | 391,417 |
| Population 1990 Census | 3,685,296 | 334,979 |
| Percent Change (1990-2000) | 9.7% | 16.8% |
| Percent Change (2000-2003) | 1.9% | 3.7% |
| Select Age Groups - Change 1990-2000 | Commonwealth | Northern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 17 years | 3.7% | 14.7% |
| 18 to 20 years | -1.4% | 12.0% |
| 21-24 | 2.0% | 4.1% |
| Educational Attainment by Age, 2000 | Commonwealth | Northern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years: | 401,531 | 35,776 |
| Less than high school | 25.1% | 22.8% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) or higher | 74.9% | 77.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5.8% | 7.1% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 566,012 | 58,127 |
| Less than high school | 15.8% | 11.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) or higher | 84.2% | 88.5% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 25.5% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 5.6% | 5.8% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 647,772 | 66,051 |
| Less than high school | 17.7% | 12.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) or higher | 82.3% | 87.1% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.1% | 21.5% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 6.8% | 6.7% |
| 45 to 64 years: | 928,945 | 84,521 |
| Less than high school | 24.8% | 18.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) or higher | 75.2% | 82.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.0% | 20.4% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 9.1% | 8.8% |
| 65 years and over: | 503,668 | 42,016 |
| Less than high school | 49.6% | 43.6% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) or higher | 50.4% | 56.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 4.4% | 4.3% |
