Resilience: Meadville, PA - 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

Globally: The United Nations defines decent work and economic growth as a rethinking and retooling of our economic and social policies, creating decent work opportunities, and countering insufficient investments and under-consumption. The creation of quality jobs with decent working conditions that stimulate the economy, do not harm the environment, and ensure all share in progress is essential to sustainable economic growth that eradicates poverty.

Meadville: Decent work and economic growth requires an emphasis on a living wage, health insurance coverage, stability of employment, and opportunities to advance.

Local Facts and Figures

What is the general current status of Meadville's economy?

The median household income in Meadville is $34,826 (1) which is 36.5% lower than the Pennsylvania median household income of $54,895(2), and 37% lower than the national median household income of $55,322 (3).
24.4% of Meadville's population lives below the poverty line according to US Census Bureau 2017 (4)

What does current employment look like?

The unemployment rate in January 2018 was 5.5% in Crawford County compared to 4.8% in the state of Pennsylvania and 4.1% nationwide (5).
The top employers in Crawford County are the Meadville Medical Center, state government, Crawford County government, Walmart, and the Crawford Central school district. (6)
The chart below highlights average salaries by industry. The disparities between salaries in leading industries in Meadville are notable. Salaries in manufacturing, health care, social services, and public administration represent more of a living wage than those in retail and food services. (7)

Table 1. Average salaries by industry (7)

What is the cost of living in Meadville?

The general cost of living in Meadville is 5% lower than the United states *not accounting for differences in income.

What do citizens spend on rent and housing mortgages?

12.8% more Meadville housing units are renter-occupied compared to owner-occupied. The renter-occupied rate is 20% higher than the national rate.
The median value of owner occupied homes in Meadville is 41% lower than the Pennsylania value and 47% lower than the national value of $184,700.
Rental costs in Meadville are lower than county, state or nation-wide averages.
The monthly owner costs with a mortgage in Meadville is about 40% of monthly household income compared to about 30% in Pennsylvania and 26% nationally

Table 2. Housing Characteristics (8)(9)(10)(11)

What are the tax rates in Meadville?

Sales tax is 6.00%
Income tax is 4.07% (12)

Local Strengths and Opportunities

Resources to live in Meadville are significantly cheaper compared to other cities in the US.
Work and jobs are available.
Costs of homes are very low.

Local Weaknesses and Threats

Meadville has a high poverty rate per household and per person (almost 50% higher than PA and US rates).
Average income is 58% lower than the national average.
Unemployment rates fluctuate seasonally.

Case Studies

PUSH BUFFALO, BUFFALO, NEW YORK: creating jobs to better the economy

FOOD & AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION, AFRICA: Agricultural job creation to spur youth employment in Africa

Citations