3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents an overview of the economic conditions of and within Sutter County.

3.2 EMPLOYMENT

Employment in Sutter County, from its earliest beginnings, has been dominated by agriculture and agriculturally related services and industries. It has been demonstrated in the Population Chapter that the historical concentration of residents has been in the rural and unincorporated areas of the County. Current figures show the majority of the County's population now resides in the urban area yet agriculture continues to contribute to the economic vitality of the County. This is demonstrated by Table 3.2-1 which lists the largest employers in the County as of June, 1993. Of the 23 firms listed, seven are agricultural processors or agricultural service firms. These firms once employed between 703 and 2,268 people; however, since Table 3.2-1 was produced, the Harter Pik'd Rite cannery has closed and the Harter Tomato Products Company has opened. There was a net loss of 23 to 1,100 jobs due to the events mentioned above. Retail department and hardware stores make up 6 of the 23 firms listed, and employ 730 people, an indication of Sutter County's retail and service sector employment.

Table 3.2-2 contains employment data from the Census industry group from 1940 through 1970. The table shows that agricultural employment reached it's peak in the 1940's and 50's, and then gradually decreased in the 60's and 70's. The decrease can be greatly attributed to changes in farming operations (principally the mechanization of farming operations). Table 3.2-3, which contains employment data from the Census industry group from 1980 and 1990, shows an increase in agricultural employment in contrast to the 1960's and 70's; however, it is difficult to calculate what portion of this increase can be attributed to agricultural employment since the 1980 and 1990 Census' added Fisheries and Mining to the Agriculture Services category.

Table 3.2-3 also shows that the greatest increase of all industry groups was in the "Other Professional & Related Services" industry group. The 111 percent increase appears to be related to commuter increases to Sacramento rather than actual employment growth in Sutter County. In contrast, the "Communications & Other Public Utilities" industry group shows the greatest decrease of all groups. This 28.48 percent decrease is primarily attributed to the closure of the local Pacific Bell office that occurred as part of the breakup and restructuring of American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T).

It is important to note that information in Tables 3.2-2 and 3.2-3 are based on place of residence, and therefore, these figures depict industry groups in which Sutter County residents work in, whether it's inside or outside of Sutter County.

TABLE 3.2-1
MAJOR SUTTER COUNTY EMPLOYERS

Source: University Center For Economic Development and Planning, CSUC.

TABLE 3.2-2
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY GROUP 1940, 1950, 1960 & 1970

Source: U.S. Census