Occupation Affiliation for Starke County, IN

Starke County – Occupation Affiliation

The array of different occupations within a county significantly impacts its economy in various ways. Here are some key aspects:

Economic Diversification
- Stability: A diverse range of occupations helps stabilize the economy. If one sector faces a downturn, others can compensate, reducing the risk of economic collapse.
- Resilience: Counties with a varied occupational base are better equipped to handle economic shocks, such as technological changes or global market fluctuations.
Innovation and Growth
- Cross-Pollination of Ideas: Different professions bring diverse perspectives, fostering innovation. For example, tech professionals collaborating with healthcare workers can lead to advancements in medical technology.
- Entrepreneurship: A mix of skills and expertise can encourage entrepreneurial activities, leading to the creation of new businesses and industries.
Employment Opportunities
- Job Creation: A variety of occupations means more job opportunities for residents, reducing unemployment rates and increasing overall economic activity.
- Skill Development: Diverse occupations require a range of skills, promoting continuous learning and skill development among the workforce.
Income Levels and Spending
- Varied Income Streams: Different occupations come with varying income levels, which can lead to a more balanced distribution of wealth.
- Consumer Spending: Higher and more stable incomes result in increased consumer spending, boosting local businesses and services.
Tax Revenue
- Diverse Tax Base: A wide range of occupations contributes to a more robust and stable tax base, providing the county with funds for public services and infrastructure.
- Economic Policies: Varied occupational income levels allow for more nuanced and effective economic policies, such as progressive taxation.
Quality of Life
- Service Availability: A diverse occupational base ensures the availability of essential services, from healthcare to education, enhancing the overall quality of life.
- Cultural Vibrancy: Different professions contribute to a rich cultural tapestry, making the county more attractive to residents and tourists alike.
Infrastructure Development
- Demand for Infrastructure: Various occupations necessitate different types of infrastructure, from tech hubs to industrial zones, driving comprehensive urban development.
- Public Services: A diverse economy can better support public services like transportation, utilities, and emergency services, improving the county's overall functionality.
Global Competitiveness
- Attracting Talent: Counties with a wide array of occupations attract a diverse talent pool, enhancing their competitiveness on a global scale.
- Investment Appeal: A diversified economy is more appealing to investors, as it suggests lower risk and higher potential for returns.
Social Dynamics
- Community Engagement: Different professions can lead to a more engaged and active community, with various groups contributing to civic life.
- Social Mobility: A range of occupations provides more pathways for social mobility, allowing individuals to improve their socioeconomic status.
Environmental Impact
- Sustainable Practices: Diverse occupations can include green jobs and sustainable practices, contributing to environmental sustainability.
- Resource Management: Varied industries can lead to more efficient resource management and reduced environmental degradation.

In summary, the array of different occupations in a county fosters economic stability, innovation, and growth, while also enhancing the quality of life and global competitiveness. This diversity is crucial for the sustainable development and resilience of urban economies.

A diversification score measures the diversity of the occupations in the county. As the value appoaches 100, occupation diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of economic failure for the county should those limited occupations befall a calamity. The occupation diversification score for this county is:

14.69

Most common occupation is:

Production/ Transportation/ Material Moving

Description	Employed 16 and Over	Management/ Business/ Financial	Professional/ Specialty/ **See below	Healthcare Support	Protective Services	Food Preparation and Serving	Building& Grounds Cleaning& Maintenance	Personal Care and Services	Sales& Related Occupations	Office and Administrative Support	Farming/ Fishing/ Forestry	Construction/ Extraction	Production/ Transportation/ Material Moving

Starke County	9,976	1,042	1,603	327	237	560	309	173	607	1,131	15	1,342	2,630
Indiana (in 000's)	3,481	530	779	104	61	178	108	77	298	378	12	291	666
National (in 000's)	170,845	29,723	42,262	5,605	3,673	8,727	5,776	4,254	15,932	18,140	983	13,673	22,098
St. Joseph County	134,392	20,430	33,749	3,787	2,396	6,404	4,240	3,691	11,868	15,209	197	9,548	22,873
Porter County	86,676	13,121	20,690	2,240	1,395	4,556	2,108	1,804	7,242	9,183	188	9,974	14,175
LaPorte County	50,747	6,188	9,402	1,993	1,201	2,664	2,184	1,222	4,521	5,449	92	5,493	10,338
Marshall County	22,689	2,792	3,462	430	284	1,155	640	394	1,934	2,220	175	2,489	6,714
Jasper County	16,335	2,206	2,804	613	349	905	558	404	1,389	1,441	318	2,160	3,188
Fulton County	9,149	1,177	1,482	349	140	266	462	192	599	849	105	873	2,655
Pulaski County	6,023	748	983	267	80	319	114	79	500	695	253	532	1,453

Per Cent to Total Employed 16 and Over	Diversity Index

Starke County	14.69	10.45	16.07	3.28	2.38	5.61	3.10	1.73	6.08	11.34	0.15	13.45	26.36
Indiana	14.12	15.22	22.38	2.98	1.75	5.11	3.09	2.20	8.56	10.86	0.35	8.37	19.12
National	14.05	17.40	24.74	3.28	2.15	5.11	3.38	2.49	9.33	10.62	0.58	8.00	12.93
St. Joseph County	14.59	15.20	25.11	2.82	1.78	4.77	3.15	2.75	8.83	11.32	0.15	7.10	17.02
Porter County	14.28	15.14	23.87	2.58	1.61	5.26	2.43	2.08	8.36	10.59	0.22	11.51	16.35
LaPorte County	12.92	12.19	18.53	3.93	2.37	5.25	4.30	2.41	8.91	10.74	0.18	10.82	20.37
Marshall County	15.91	12.31	15.26	1.90	1.25	5.09	2.82	1.74	8.52	9.78	0.77	10.97	29.59
Jasper County	12.54	13.50	17.17	3.75	2.14	5.54	3.42	2.47	8.50	8.82	1.95	13.22	19.52
Fulton County	15.47	12.86	16.20	3.81	1.53	2.91	5.05	2.10	6.55	9.28	1.15	9.54	29.02
Pulaski County	13.55	12.42	16.32	4.43	1.33	5.30	1.89	1.31	8.30	11.54	4.20	8.83	24.12

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Starke County		68.63	71.79	109.87	135.83	109.77	100.22	78.83	71.11	104.42	42.53	160.64	137.88
Indiana		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		114.32	110.52	109.97	122.92	99.89	109.38	113.19	108.98	97.79	162.69	95.57	67.65
St. Joseph County		99.89	112.20	94.45	101.93	93.18	102.08	124.85	103.20	104.23	41.47	84.84	89.01
Porter County		99.47	106.65	86.62	92.02	102.79	78.69	94.61	97.64	97.58	61.36	137.42	85.53
LaPorte County		80.12	82.78	131.64	135.31	102.66	139.25	109.46	104.11	98.90	51.28	129.26	106.54
Marshall County		80.86	68.17	63.52	71.57	99.55	91.27	78.94	99.62	90.12	218.19	131.00	154.76
Jasper County		88.74	76.69	125.78	122.16	108.34	110.52	112.43	99.37	81.25	550.70	157.91	102.07
Fulton County		84.53	72.37	127.86	87.49	56.85	163.38	95.40	76.51	85.47	324.66	113.95	151.77
Pulaski County		81.60	72.92	148.59	75.94	103.57	61.24	59.62	97.02	106.28	1,188.27	105.48	126.17

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Starke County		60.04	64.96	99.91	110.50	109.89	91.62	69.64	65.25	106.78	26.14	168.09	203.82
Indiana		87.47	90.48	90.94	81.35	100.11	91.42	88.35	91.76	102.26	61.46	104.63	147.83
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
St. Joseph County		87.38	101.52	85.89	82.92	93.29	93.32	110.30	94.70	106.59	25.49	88.77	131.59
Porter County		87.01	96.50	78.77	74.86	102.90	71.94	83.59	89.60	99.78	37.71	143.78	126.44
LaPorte County		70.09	74.90	119.71	110.08	102.77	127.31	96.71	95.53	101.13	31.52	135.25	157.50
Marshall County		70.73	61.68	57.77	58.22	99.66	83.44	69.74	91.41	92.15	134.11	137.07	228.78
Jasper County		77.62	69.39	114.38	99.38	108.46	101.05	99.33	91.18	83.08	338.49	165.22	150.89
Fulton County		73.94	65.48	116.27	71.17	56.92	149.37	84.28	70.21	87.40	199.55	119.23	224.36
Pulaski County		71.38	65.98	135.12	61.78	103.69	55.99	52.68	89.02	108.68	730.37	110.37	186.51

Notes: Professional/Specialty includes these occupations: Computer, Mathematical, Architure, Engineering, Life Science, Physical Science, Social Science, Education, Legal, Community Service, Arts, Media, Healthcare Practioners, Health Technologists

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025