Economic Trends Update: Douglas County

Abstract

The Lawrence-Douglas County area is a community with a growing population, high quality work force, and modern economic base, enhanced by the presence of a major regional university. Its development in recent years has been shaped by two significant forces. First, with three colleges, it is a major center for higher education. Much of its development has been influenced by its large student population. Second, Douglas County is located between two metropolitan areas, and has captured some of the spill over benefits from this location.

In 1992, the Institute for Public Policy and Business Research (IPPBR) at the University of Kansas conducted a review of economic and demographic trends for Douglas County and the City of Lawrence. This review was part of the strategic planning process for the county called Horizon 2020. The 181-page report contained data on: global, regional and national trends, population, housing, education, employment, earnings and income, geographic location and infrastructure, business environment, financial capital, innovation and technology, and quality of life.

The following report includes an update of selected variables from the 1992 study as well as some additional variables. This report looks at variables categorized under the following areas: population, employment, earnings and income, retail, agriculture, and education.

Throughout the report, Douglas County's performance is compared with the performance of the State of Kansas, Comparative Counties, and Surrounding Counties. It is by no means a comprehensive analysis of economic trends facing Douglas County but rather an overview of some key economic and demographic variables.