How We Measure Economic Development in Douglas County

By Breezy Straton, President, Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership

When people ask how we measure economic development in Douglas County, the answer is straightforward: we track the fundamentals that signal whether our economy is growing, resilient, and creating real opportunities for residents and businesses.

Over the past five years, those fundamentals have moved in a very strong direction.

From 2020 to 2025, Douglas County saw job growth, an increase in business establishments, a rise in average weekly wages, and an increase in local GDP. These are the core indicators we monitor because they tell us whether our strategies are working — and whether our community is benefiting.

Our approach reflects what the Brookings Institution describes as “people-centered and place-led” economic development — growth that is intentional, broad‑based, and tied to long‑term community outcomes.

Why Economic Metrics Matter for Douglas County

When we talk about economic development, it can sound abstract — like something happening in boardrooms or spreadsheets. But the truth is simple: the numbers we track are really about people’s lives, opportunities, and the long‑term health of our community.

That’s why Elevate Douglas focuses on a set of core metrics that tell us, in a very real way, whether Douglas County is moving in the right direction.

1. Job Growth – Are there more opportunities for residents?

Job growth is one of the clearest signs of a healthy economy. When jobs increase, it means:

• Employers are confident enough to expand
• New industries are taking root
• Residents have more options and better pathways to stability

From 2020 to 2025, Douglas County saw 8.85% job growth — a strong signal that opportunity is expanding here. National research from the Federal Reserve shows that many counties have struggled to keep pace with job growth over the past two decades, so our upward trend is meaningful.

2. Business Establishments – Are more businesses choosing to operate here?

A growing number of business establishments tells us that:

• Entrepreneurs see Douglas County as a place where they can succeed
• Existing companies are stable and staying
• The local economy is diversifying and strengthening

We saw a 17.45% increase in business establishments over the past five years. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small and mid‑sized businesses drive “nearly half of all economic activity in the United States.” When this number grows, it’s a sign of long‑term economic resilience.

3. Average Wages – Are residents benefiting from growth?

Wage growth is one of the most important indicators we track because it answers a simple question: Is growth improving people’s lives?

From 2020 to 2025, average weekly wages paid by Douglas County companies increased by 28.87%. That’s significantly higher than typical national wage growth over a five‑year period.

This aligns with what the Brookings Institution calls “people-centered and place-led” development — growth that doesn’t just show up in charts, but in household budgets, career mobility, and quality of life.

Why These Metrics Matter Together

Each metric tells part of the story. But together, they give us a clear picture of our economic health:

• More jobs mean more opportunity.
• More businesses mean a stronger, more diverse economy.
• Higher wages mean residents are sharing in the benefits.

Each of these also allows us to compare Douglas County to national trends. For example, the National Association of Counties reports that only about one‑third of U.S. counties kept pace with national GDP growth in recent years. Douglas County’s 28.38% GDP growth places us well above that benchmark. Sustained double‑digit growth over multiple years is uncommon, and it signals a healthy, competitive market.

These numbers matter because they help us answer the most important question:
Is Douglas County becoming a stronger, more prosperous place for the people who live and work here?

Based on the data, the answer is yes — and we’re committed to keeping that momentum going.

Reference List

Brookings Institution. (n.d.). People-centered, place-led economic development. https://www.brookings.edu

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. (2023). County-level economic performance and long-term employment trends. https://www.chicagofed.org

FRED Blog. (2024). County GDP growth varies widely across the United States. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. https://fredblog.stlouisfed.org

International Economic Development Council. (n.d.). Workforce and economic development integration. https://www.iedconline.org

National Association of Counties. (2024). County economies 2024: Tracking economic performance across U.S. counties. https://www.naco.org

National Skills Coalition. (n.d.). Skills-based pathways and regional competitiveness. https://nationalskillscoalition.org

The Aspen Institute. (n.d.). Entrepreneurship program: Ecosystem building for local business growth. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/entrepreneurship-program

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. (2024). GDP by county and metropolitan area: 2023 results. https://www.bea.gov

U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (n.d.). Small business resources and economic impact. https://www.uschamber.com/small-business