Labor Force
In today's world, access to talent is a key driver in business growth decisions. With a primary core talent pool that shows year-over-year growth (see below), the Region's employers benefit from an extended talent pool of over 700,000. Complemented by training providers who understand business needs, the MPA's workforce story is a driver for business locations.
| Community | Labor Force (5/20) | Unemployment Rate (5/20) | Labor Force (2019) | Unemployment Rate (2019) | Labor Force Participation (16 and over) |
Mean Travel Time to Work(Minutes) |
| Essex | 5,431 | 9.5% | 5,526 | 3.5% | 61.3% | 37 |
| Gloucester | 19,175 | 8.0% | 19,705 | 2.6% | 60.2% | 34 |
| King & Queen | 3,765 | 6.7% | 3,871 | 2.8% | 55.7% | 34 |
| King William | 8,952 | 7.9% | 9,228 | 2.7% | 65.1% | 38 |
| Mathews | 3,987 | 6.6% | 4,169 | 2.9% | 50.9% | 35 |
| Middlesex | 5,197 | 7.2% | 5,219 | 2.6% | 48.9% | 30 |
| Region | 46,507 | 7.9% | 47,818 | 2.8% | 58.5% | 35 |
Source: Virginia Employment Commission, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 3/2020; U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates