Demographic Trends Are Major Factors in Today’s Weak Labor Force Growth

The size of the US labor force declined by 2.3 million people between December 2019 and December 2021. Our experts examine demographic changes to determine if this decline is a passing trend or if it’s here to stay. Read More  

Access to Broadband is Essential for Positive Economic Outcomes

Though the pandemic has put the spotlight on the issue of limited broadband access in some regions, the Federal Reserve System has been studying it for years. Recent analyses explore the relationship between broadband access and employment. Read More  

Missed Connections in Cleveland: The Disconnect Between Job Access and Employment

Generally, a high job-access rate has a positive impact on employment; that is, in areas where jobs are easier to reach, employment rates are usually higher. But this isn’t true for the Cleveland metro area. In fact, we see the reverse: Neighborhoods with high rates of job access tend to have low employment rates, and neighborhoods with low rates of job access tend to have high employment rates. Read More  

Rural Employment in Four States: A Story of Specialization and Change (2010 through 2019)

Is specializing in an industry the way to economic success or the road to economic challenges for rural communities? It depends on the community’s resilience. Read More  

The threat of eviction during COVID-19: Perspectives from Cleveland’s Ohio City

Renters and landlords and the legal system. We spoke to Clevelanders about the difficulties caused by the pandemic and solutions that show promise for times of crisis and times of relative stability. Explore the story for insights from a tenant who was furloughed, a landlord with a small number or properties, a Housing Court judge, and a Legal Aid attorney. Read more