Jefferson's Contributions to Louisiana Exceed its Share of the Population
March 29, 2010
As the state's most populous parish, Jefferson would naturally be expected to make major contributions to the state's economy and tax base. However, in every major economic and fiscal category, Jefferson's contributions to Louisiana are disproportionately large relative to its share of the state's population.
Jefferson residents comprise 10.1% of Louisiana's population however Jefferson Parish contributes:
- 13.9% of the state's sales tax revenue
- 12.0% of the state's income tax revenue
- 11.3% of all businesses in the state
- 10.9% of the cumulative wages in the state
- 10.6% of all jobs in the state
Jefferson Parish residents are primarily employed in the private sector. Jefferson residents comprise only 8.3% of all residents statewide that are employed by local, state, or federal government-well below Jefferson's share of the state's population. Conversely, Jefferson Parish accounts for 10.8% of state residents employed by private businesses.
Jefferson Parish also contributes disproportionately to a number of critical, and diverse, industry clusters. Jefferson Parish is home to inordinately large employment clusters in:
- Software and Computer Systems Design
- Health Care
- Professional and Technical Services (such as engineering and legal services)
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Shipbuilding
- Finance and Insurance
- Wholesale Trade
- Retail
These diverse industries run the gamut from the jobs of the present to the jobs of the future. Given Jefferson's disproportionate contribution, it is fair to say that the economic future of the state is inextricably tied to that of Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson Parish: Louisiana's Leading Parish - Executive Summary (PDF - 10 Pages - 5.20mb)
Jefferson Parish: Louisiana's Leading Parish - Full Report (PDF - 32 Pages - 2.30mb)
