Gross Domestic Product
Real GDP (a measure of economic growth) increased from 2000-2017, going from $72 billion to $105 billion.
Jobs
Private-sector employers have added 75,000 jobs since 2010, the national low point for private-sector employment. From 2017 to 2018 the private sector has added approximately 10,000 net new jobs for a total of 855,000 putting it above the 2008 pre-recession high of 810,000 total jobs. Average hourly wages in the private sector have grown since 2013, going from $21/hr to $24/hr in 2018.
Manufacturing employment has decreased since 2001, especially during the recession. There were 100,000 jobs in this sector in 2018, down from 115,000 2001, but only slightly below pre-recession levels, showing a general recovery. Average hourly wages of manufacturing employees have grown since 2001, going from $13.50/hr to $19/hr by 2018.
There were 53,500 jobs in the Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities sector in 2018, only slightly below pre-recession levels of 56,000 jobs, showing general recovery in this sector. The average wage in this sector has grown since 2008 from $17/hr to $21/hr in 2018.
Unemployment
The unemployment rate in 2018 is 2.6%, down from the prior year’s 3% rate. This is below the national average of 3.9% unemployment.
Housing
The House Price Index, a measure of the cost of housing, declined after 2008 but has risen since 2012, going from 250 to 320 by 2018.
Omaha-Council Bluffs
Gross Domestic Product
Real GDP (a measure of economic growth) increased from 2009-2016, going from $46 billion to $54 billion.
Jobs
Private-sector employers have added 36,000 jobs since 2010, the national low point for private-sector employment. From 2017 to 2018 the private sector added 5,000 new jobs. There were 437,000 total jobs in the private sector in 2018, above pre-recession levels of 410,000 total jobs. Average hourly wages in the private sector have grown since 2015, going from $23/hr to $27.50/hr in 2018.
Manufacturing employment has mildly decreased compared to 2000 levels. There were 34,500 jobs in this sector in 2018, down from 36,000 in 2000 and slightly above pre-recession levels. Average hourly wages of manufacturing employees were $17.93/hr in 2018.
There were 26,000 jobs in the Transportation and Warehousing sector in 2018, below pre-recession levels by 3,000 jobs, showing a decline in this sector. The average wage in the Transportation and Material Moving sector was $17.73/hr in 2018.
Unemployment
The unemployment rate in 2018 is 3%, down from the prior year’s 3.25% rate. This is below the national average of 3.9% unemployment.
Housing
The House Price Index, a measure of the cost of housing, has been increasing since 2013, showing a 25% increase in housing costs.
