Why This is Important
Across the United States, workers are facing mass layoffs and closures due to COVID-19. Many of these workers are in the types of jobs that have grown greatly in number as our economy has changed over the last 20 years. But their wages have not seen the same growth. In Durham, for example, accommodation and food service jobs grew in number by 69% from 2000 to 2018. These workers made $390/week in the year 2000 and $381/week in 2018 (inflation adjusted amounts from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages).
About the Data
These estimates refer to the civilian employed population 16 years and over who are working in these sectors: arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services.
Source: American Community Survey (5-year), table DP03.
Additional Resources
| Resource | Learn More and Take Action |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits, NC Department of Commerce | After filing a claim, it will take about 14 days to receive first payment. The additional $600 in federal benefits will be for weeks ending April 4 – July 31. DES is awaiting guidance for issuing those payments. Benefits owed will be paid retroactively. |
| COVID-19 Resource Spreadsheet - Durham NC (English) | Community-wide resource listings for crisis support, mutual aid, money for lost wages and more (maintained by Community Empowerment Fund). |
| CDC Coronavirus/COVID-19 Strategies | This resource offers comprehensive guidance for community members as well as local, state and national public officials on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and ensuring health workers have the resources necessary to stay safe. |
| Labor and Employment Data (D4) NC Commerce | County- and state-level employment and labor statistics from 2000 through the present. |
| American Community Survey (ACS) | "The American Community Survey collects data on an ongoing basis, January through December, to provide every community with the information they need to make important decisions. We release new data every year, in the form of estimates, in a variety of tables, tools, and analytical reports." |
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Data Distribution, 2019
Percent of Workers in the Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, and Accommodation & Food Services
