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Economic yearbook 2011
Northwest - Yearbook
Jackson/Liberty/ Calhoun Counties
| Jackson Population: 51,634 | ||||
| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 1.34% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 16.6% | 5.7% | 28.7% | 32.7% | 16.3% |
| Per Capita Income: $25,844 |
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Jackson County's economic base has been largely stable during the recession, aided by major recently added employers, including Green Circle Bio Energy at Cottondale, says Bill Stanton, executive director of the county Development Council. The county's tax base has gained 10% in value in the past five years, he notes.
| Liberty Population: 8,428 |
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| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 1.96% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 18.4% | 5.3% | 34.4% | 30.6% | 11.2% |
| Per Capita Income: $25,089 | ||||
 Johnny Eubanks |
Liberty County consistently boasts the state's lowest unemployment rate, mainly because of the stable forest products industry, a state correctional facility and its north-south short line railroad, says Johnny Eubanks, executive director of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce.
| Calhoun Population: 14,087 |
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| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 1.04% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 17.6% | 4.9% | 31.0% | 30.9% | 15.6% |
| Per Capita Income:$23,716 |
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 Kristy Terry |
Government budget cuts and shortfalls have constrained Calhoun County's economy; several businesses opened late in the year, however, in hopes of an economic uptick in 2011, says Kristy Terry, executive director of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. Development work under way includes a runway extension at Calhoun County Airport.
Holmes/Washington Counties
| Holmes Population: 19,682 |
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| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 0.73% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 17.3% | 5.8% | 28.2% | 31.8% | 16.9% |
| Per Capita Income: $28,605 | ||||
| Washington Population: 24,846 |
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| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 2.08% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 17.0% | 5.9% | 27.1% | 34.2% | 15.2% |
| Per Capita Income: $24,781 | ||||
Both Washington and Holmes are courting industrial prospects. In Washington, the county and CSX are building a dual-use rail spur, funded with $2 million from the state Transportation Department. The spur was key to enticing a concrete pipe-making company to become the first tenant in a county-owned industrial park. In Holmes, Bud Riviere, a member of the county's Development Commission, cites a prospect interested in buying a spec building and the opening of restaurants and hotels. Critical to future growth will be completion of Highway 79's four-laning, connecting to the new Bay County airport, says Jim Brook, the commission's executive director.
