Economy

Durham County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. At 2%, only five counties can boast a lower rate of unemployment. The 1997 per capita income for Durham County was $25,489, notably higher than the state average of $20,217. However, for many people in Durham finding a steady job that can adequately cover the cost of living can be a challenge. This is due, in part, to a shift in the industrial base of the economy from agriculture, mainly tobacco, and textiles to health-related services and biochemical and high-tech manufacturing. This movement towards greater reliance on industries that depend on individuals with high technical skills and expertise has negatively impacted the low-skilled labor force. It would be misleading to suggest that all homeless people are unemployed. According to the Durham Coalition for the Homeless, roughly 40 percent of the homeless who live in shelters work at least on a temporary basis. However, in today's economy, having a job does not guarantee enough income for a house and to support an individual or family.

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