Muncie Forecast 2013
Director of Research, Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University
Graduate Assistant, Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University
The official numbers show noticeable improvements in the Muncie area economy during 2012. The unemployment rate is down. Nonfarm employment has increased by a respectable amount as have average weekly wages. The housing market, particularly real estate sales, has improved, and local real estate agents indicate that there are shortages in some segments of the market. There have not been any major announcements of new businesses locating in the area or closings of existing manufacturing facilities, but several of the area’s major manufacturers are humming along.
This article includes the most current data available at the time of writing on various measures of economic activity from public sources for the Muncie metropolitan area (Delaware County) to analyze changes over the past year. A summary of the labor market forecast for the Muncie area is included in the conclusion.
Labor Markets
The unemployment rate in 2012 showed very healthy improvement, decreasing from 10 percent to 8.8 percent from January to September (see Table 1). This is also lower than one year ago (September 2011) when the unemployment rate was 9.9 percent. However, Delaware County’s rate is still higher than Indiana’s rate of 7.5 percent (not seasonally adjusted). In 2012, we have a different scenario than 2011 with the changes in the number of unemployed workers and the labor force. In 2011, the number of unemployed workers decreased at a faster rate (down 7.1 percent) than the increase in the labor force (up 2.0 percent). However, from January to September in 2012, the labor force had a slight reduction of 0.8 percent and the number of unemployed persons also decreased but at a higher rate of 12.6 percent. This is similar to Indiana as a whole where there was a slight reduction in the labor force in 2012 (-0.3 percent) and a larger decrease in the number of unemployed workers (-18.7 percent).
Table 1: Labor Force and Unemployment, Delaware County, September 2011 to September 2012
Year | Month | Labor Force | Unemployed | Unemployment Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | September | 54,531 | 5,398 | 9.9% |
October | 54,456 | 5,322 | 9.8% | |
November | 54,790 | 5,513 | 10.1% | |
December | 54,398 | 5,334 | 9.8% | |
Annual | 53,755 | 5,458 | 10.2% | |
2012 | January | 54,419 | 5,429 | 10.0% |
February | 54,374 | 5,375 | 9.9% | |
March | 54,679 | 5,373 | 9.8% | |
April | 53,581 | 4,776 | 8.9% | |
May | 54,806 | 4,922 | 9.0% | |
June | 52,968 | 5,384 | 10.2% | |
July | 52,664 | 5,261 | 10.0% | |
August | 53,486 | 5,021 | 9.4% | |
September | 54,009 | 4,744 | 8.8% |
Note: Data are not seasonally adjusted.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
There was a turnaround in nonfarm employment in 2012. In every year from 2007 through 2011, nonfarm employment decreased for a total reduction of about 4,400 jobs. However, nonfarm employment increased by 1,244 in 2012. Delaware County has not seen this large of an increase in nonfarm employment since 1995. Manufacturing was partially responsible with an increase of 189 workers—the largest increase among the sectors. Manufacturing steadily declined from 2003 through 2011, losing 4,111 jobs. Private educational and health services had the second-largest addition of jobs with 178 (see Table 2).
Table 2: Muncie Metro Employment by Industry, Year-to-Date 2011 to 2012*
Industry | 2012 | Change since 2011 |
Percent Change 2011–2012 |
---|---|---|---|
Total Nonfarm | 49,678 | 1,244 | 2.6% |
Total Private | 37,767 | 1,300 | 3.6% |
Goods-Producing | 5,567 | 300 | 5.7% |
Manufacturing | 3,867 | 189 | 5.1% |
Private Service-Providing | 32,200 | 1,000 | 3.2% |
Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 8,200 | -89 | -1.1% |
Information | 300 | 0 | 0.0% |
Financial Activities | 2,578 | -22 | -0.9% |
Private Educational and Health Services | 9,633 | 178 | 1.9% |
Leisure and Hospitality | 4,789 | 11 | 0.2% |
Other Services | 1,600 | 0 | 0.0% |
Government | 11,911 | -56 | -0.5% |
*January through September average.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indiana Department of Workforce Development
After being relatively constant over the previous three years, average weekly wages in Delaware County rose 8 percent in 2012 to $662 (see Table 3). Most sectors in 2012 experienced positive increases ranging from 1.9 percent to 18.3 percent. Six of these sectors had increases of 10 percent or more: finance and insurance (18.3 percent), construction (13.9 percent), educational services (12.3 percent), information (11.4 percent), real estate, rental and leasing (10.6 percent), and health care and social services (10.2 percent). Two sectors, management of companies and enterprises and arts, entertainment, and recreation saw a decline in average weekly wages in 2012.
The inflation rate between the first quarters of 2011 and 2012 was 2.8 percent, so workers in most sectors experienced real wage growth over this period.1
Table 3: Average Weekly Wages in the Muncie MSA, 2011 Q1 to 2012 Q1
Industry | 2011 Q1 | 2012 Q1 | Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|
Total | $613 | $662 | 8.0% |
Finance and Insurance | $704 | $833 | 18.3% |
Construction | $640 | $729 | 13.9% |
Educational Services | $722 | $811 | 12.3% |
Information | $642 | $715 | 11.4% |
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $594 | $657 | 10.6% |
Health Care and Social Services | $636 | $701 | 10.2% |
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $704 | $767 | 8.9% |
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $406 | $438 | 7.9% |
Transportation and Warehousing | $733 | $788 | 7.5% |
Accommodation and Food Services | $222 | $237 | 6.8% |
Manufacturing | $829 | $885 | 6.8% |
Wholesale Trade | $857 | $910 | 6.2% |
Retail Trade | $402 | $423 | 5.2% |
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $459 | $482 | 5.0% |
Utilities | $1,352 | $1,396 | 3.3% |
Other Services (Except Public Administration) | $418 | $426 | 1.9% |
Public Administration | $728 | $728 | 0.0% |
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $255 | $244 | -4.3% |
Management of Companies and Enterprises | $1,977 | $1,888 | -4.5% |
Mining | $1,325 | D | D |
Note: D indicates that the data are not disclosable.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Housing
After a jump in new housing construction in 2011, the number of residential building permits leveled off and even declined a bit this year going from 59 in 2011 to 52 in 2012 (see Table 4).
Table 4: Delaware County Residential Building Permits, Year-to-Date 2001 to 2012
Year | Total | Single-Family | Multi-Family |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | 231 | 182 | 49 |
2002 | 180 | 172 | 8 |
2003 | 371 | 180 | 191 |
2004 | 196 | 172 | 24 |
2005 | 131 | 124 | 7 |
2006 | 112 | 87 | 25 |
2007 | 90 | 76 | 14 |
2008 | 53 | 49 | 4 |
2009 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
2010 | 30 | 28 | 2 |
2011 | 59 | 49 | 10 |
2012 | 52 | 47 | 5 |
Note: Each year is based on January through September totals.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The residential real estate market rebounded in 2012 in all measurable aspects. The number of units sold increased from 635 in 2011 to 713 in 2012 and the average number of days on the market decreased. The average sales price had a substantial increase of more than $6,200—increasing from $85,957 in 2011 to $92,213 in 2012. This is the highest average sales price since 2007 and the second straight year that the average sales price has increased (see Table 5).
Table 5: Residential Real Estate Sales, Delaware County, January to September Averages, 2005 to 2012
Indicator | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Units Sold | 966 | 1,086 | 984 | 715 | 733 | 714 | 635 | 713 |
Average Days on Market | 119 | 131 | 128 | 145 | 155 | 130 | 146 | 134 |
Average Sale Price | $101,891 | $98,230 | $92,596 | $91,632 | $90,628 | $85,084 | $85,957 | $92,213 |
Median Sale Price | $80,650 | $80,000 | $79,900 | $75,500 | $76,750 | $69,950 | $72,900 | $79,900 |
Average Property Tax/Average Sales Price | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.7% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
Source: Jim Kouns with the Mid-Eastern Indiana Association of Realtors (MEIAR)
Social Safety Net
For the fourth straight year, the dollar amount of food stamps issued and the number of food stamp recipients increased (see Table 6). However, these increases have been declining over the past two years. In 2012, the dollar amount of food stamps issued averaged almost $2.7 million per month. This is an increase of $146,782 (5.8 percent) compared to the $218,145 (9.5 percent) increase in 2011 and the $370,551 (19.2 percent) increase in 2010. The number of food stamp recipients averaged 19,854 per month in 2012. This is an increase of 1,149 (6.1 percent) compared to the increase of 1,791 (10.6 percent) in 2011 and the increase of 2,461 (17 percent) in 2010.
Table 6: Food Stamp Recipients in Delaware County, January to October Averages, 2004 to 2012
Year | Average Monthly Food Stamps Issued | Average Monthly Food Stamp Recipients |
---|---|---|
2004 | $1,107,937 | 12,601 |
2005 | $1,398,397 | 14,064 |
2006 | $1,349,338 | 14,119 |
2007 | $1,426,283 | 14,400 |
2008 | $1,423,852 | 13,043 |
2009 | $1,932,026 | 14,454 |
2010 | $2,302,577 | 16,915 |
2011 | $2,520,722 | 18,706 |
2012 | $2,667,504 | 19,854 |
Change, 2011 to 2012 | $146,782 | 1,149 |
Percent Change, 2011 to 2012 | 5.8% | 6.1% |
Note: Dollar amounts not adjusted for inflation.
Source: STATS Indiana, using FSSA data
Outlook
There has been too much variation in the data over the past few years to get too excited about the positive changes in the local indicators during the first three quarters of 2012. The decline in the labor force over the past year indicates that discouraged workers are a persistent issue and the continued increase in the number of food stamp recipients indicates ongoing economic distress for many families in Delaware County. Several more quarters (even years) of positive employment and income growth are needed to alleviate the lingering effects of the most recent recession.
In the coming year, we expect small gains in employment (1 percent) and income (in the 2 percent range) as the economy continues its slow recovery.2
Notes
Also in this Issue…
- International Outlook for 2013
- U.S. Outlook for 2013
- Financial Outlook for 2013
- Indiana's Outlook for 2013
- Indiana's Agricultural Outlook for 2013
- Three Key Indicators—Forecasts for Jobs, Income and Productivity
- Anderson Forecast 2013
- Bloomington Forecast 2013
- Columbus Forecast 2013
- Evansville Forecast 2013
- Fort Wayne Forecast 2013
- Gary Forecast 2013
- Indianapolis-Carmel Forecast 2013
- Lafayette Forecast 2013
- Louisville Forecast 2013
- Muncie Forecast 2013
- Richmond Forecast 2013
- South Bend and Elkhart Area Forecast 2013
- Terre Haute Forecast 2013