2024 year was good for Southeast. Jobs and wages were up, as earnings grew by $99 million. All but three communities gained workers as 700 new annualized jobs were added across the region. Tourism continues to expand its lead as the largest sector in the region, as arriving cruise and air passenger numbers reached record levels. Government jobs were up across the board. The State sector added workers for the first time in more than a dozen years. The healthcare, retail, finance, and mining sectors all added workers to their payrolls. Nine communities saw double-digit percentage wage growth. Not all indicators were up. The social services sector was down, along with construction, trade, and timber. Population and school enrollment fell. Most notably, the seafood sector continues to decline, with regional ex-vessel values dropping to near historic lows, and the number of local commercial fishermen 21% below 2019 counts. The primary problem for the Southeast economy is one of demographics. Housing scarcity and costs are partially responsible for driving this dynamic, leaving young families and workers unable to move to the region, or stay longer term — despite near record job levels.
