Population
350,000 persons live within a 30-mile, labor-drawing radius of Gadsden.

Unemployment
2,179 residents of Etowah County were unemployed as of January, 2008 according to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

Underemployment
Approximately 12,000 are underemployed in Etowah County, according to estimates prepared by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama.

Job applicants
9,136 persons seeking employment in Etowah County registered for assistance at the Alabama Career Link System during January 1 through December 31 , 2007, of those, 7,019 were unemployed.

Commuting patterns
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 14,400 Etowah County residents commute outside the county to work. Approximately 11,660 of those employed in the Gadsden area commute in from other counties.

High school graduates
A total of 604 students graduated from high school in May 2007, in the Gadsden City, Attalla City and Etowah County school systems.

Community College students
5,517 students enrolled in credit classes at Gadsden State Community College in the fall of this academic year.

Current enrollments in the following skills training programs are:
• Drafting and Design Technology      32
• Electronic Engineering Technology  65
• Industrial Maintenance Technology  39
• Machine Tool Technology               83
• Mechanical Design Technology       25
• Welding Technology                       78