Census roadshow reveals big shift in jobs
Jobs in agriculture in the Timaru district have increased by a quarter and in health and construction by a fifth in the last seven years.
As part of a nationwide roadshow, Statistics New Zealand was in Timaru yesterday holding a seminar on the results of the 2013 census, which showed significant shifts in employment, while confirming manufacturing as the main occupation.
Those making a living off the land rose by 26 per cent between 2006 and 2013, with the number of people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing increasing from 1640 to 2070.
Healthcare and social assistance had a sizeable jump of 22 per cent, increasing from 2230 to 2720.
Since the 2006 census, the number of people employed in the construction sector increased by 18.5 per cent, from 1350 to 1600.
Manufacturing, while still the major employer in the district, decreased by 2 per cent, dropping from 4230 employed in 2006 to 4140 in 2013. Manufacturing accounted for 19 per cent of employment.The national average is 11 per cent.
Those working in the retail trade increased by 0.8 per cent, from 2460 in 2006 to 2480 in 2013.
The median income in Timaru was $38,100 for men, above the national median income of $36,500. Women fared worse, with the median income in Timaru $21,100. The national median is $23,100.
The population for the district increased by 2.5 per cent to 43,929.
In Timaru 74 per cent of dwellings were owned by the occupiers or held in family trusts, compared with 66 per cent nationally. The number of dwellings increased by 4.1 per cent to 20,034.
- The Timaru Herald