Rossville, Georgia
Rossville is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States, situated along the border with Chattanooga, Tennessee, as part of the Chattanooga–TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, with a population of 3,980 recorded in the 2020 United States census.[1] Incorporated on August 25, 1905, the community traces its origins to earlier settlements including a post office established in 1817, and derives its name from Cherokee principal chief John Ross, who served as the area's first postmaster and resided in the John Ross House from 1830 to 1838 before the forced relocation of his people via the Trail of Tears.[2] Historically a center of textile manufacturing that boomed in the early 20th century with mills such as the Peerless Woolen Mills—once among the largest employers in the region—the city transitioned amid industry declines, including significant mill fires, toward revitalization efforts focused on downtown investment and tourism.[3] Rossville is notably home to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, founded in 1925 and operating continuously as one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States, alongside proximity to Civil War sites like Chickamauga Battlefield.[4]History
Founding and Early Settlement
The area encompassing modern Rossville was part of Cherokee territory in the late 18th century, with the settlement initially known as Poplar Springs dating to approximately 1785, when it served primarily as home to Cherokee inhabitants alongside sparse early white traders.[3][5] Scottish trader Daniel Ross, father of future Cherokee Principal Chief John Ross, was captured by Cherokees near the site in 1785 but later integrated into the community through marriage, exemplifying early intercultural ties.[3] In 1797, John McDonald, Ross's maternal grandfather and a British Indian Department official, constructed a log home near the area, which became associated with the John Ross family and represented one of the earliest documented European-style structures.[3] The name "Rossville" originated in 1817 with the establishment of a U.S. post office at the site, named in honor of John Ross, who served as its first postmaster and operated a trading post there until the Cherokee removal.[3] John Ross, born in 1790 to a Scots-Cherokee family, resided in the vicinity and used it as a base amid growing tensions over Cherokee land rights in Georgia.[3] The creation of Walker County in 1833 from portions of Murray County further formalized the region's boundaries, though settlement remained dominated by Cherokee communities until the forced removal via the Trail of Tears in 1838.[3] Following the 1838 expulsion of the Cherokee, white settlement accelerated, driven by the Georgia Land Lottery of 1832, which distributed former Cherokee lands to lottery winners; many new arrivals acquired tracts in Walker County, including the Rossville area, marking the transition to predominantly European-American occupancy.[3] This influx laid the groundwork for agricultural and small-scale commercial development, though the community remained unincorporated until 1905.[5]Civil War Involvement
During the Chickamauga Campaign in September 1863, Rossville Gap, a key defile through Missionary Ridge adjacent to the small community of Rossville, emerged as a strategic chokepoint. Confederate General Braxton Bragg prioritized capturing the gap to sever Union General William Rosecrans's line of retreat to Chattanooga after the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19–20. Union forces under Major General George H. Thomas, however, fortified positions at the gap, repelling Confederate assaults and enabling the Army of the Cumberland to consolidate defenses overnight on September 20 before withdrawing unmolested to Chattanooga on September 21.[6][7] Skirmishes intensified around Rossville on September 21, as Confederate cavalry under Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest probed Union rearguards, resulting in Union casualties estimated at several dozen amid the disorganized retreat. The community itself, comprising fewer than a half-dozen structures, served as a temporary Union rallying point, with sites like the McFarland House and Spring witnessing troop movements and light engagements. Bragg's failure to fully exploit the Chickamauga victory at Rossville allowed the Union army to preserve its cohesion, averting potential encirclement.[8][7] Rossville's military relevance persisted into the Chattanooga Campaign later that autumn. Following the Union breakthrough at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, Bragg's defeated Army of Tennessee retreated southward through Rossville Gap, abandoning heavy artillery and supplies in the haste. Union Major General Joseph Hooker, advancing from positions near Rossville, flanked the Confederate rear, contributing to the rout that compelled Bragg's forces deeper into northern Georgia and opened the route for Sherman's subsequent advance.[9] The gap's dual role as both a contested Union fallback and a Confederate escape route underscored Rossville's tactical significance in the broader Western Theater operations of 1863.[9]Industrial Expansion and Textile Dominance
The textile industry emerged as the cornerstone of Rossville's economy in the late nineteenth century, beginning with the Richmond Hosiery Mill established in 1898, which manufactured socks for men and women and quickly grew into one of the oldest and largest facilities in northwest Georgia.[10] By 1910, the mill employed 400 workers, expanding to 700 by 1922 amid the broader post-Civil War industrialization of the South, where abundant local cotton, water power from nearby rivers, and low-wage labor fueled mill construction.[10] This early growth reflected causal drivers like technological advances in steam-powered machinery and the shift from agrarian to factory-based production, drawing migrants to Rossville and establishing textiles as the town's primary economic engine. Further expansion accelerated in the early twentieth century, exemplified by the founding of Peerless Woolen Mills in 1905 by John L. Hutcherson Sr., coinciding with Rossville's municipal incorporation that year.[11] Specializing in woolen fabrics and blankets—later supplied to U.S. armed forces during World War II—Peerless scaled rapidly, achieving status as the world's largest single-unit mill by the 1950s with over 3,000 employees at its peak.[3] The mill's merger with Burlington Industries in 1952 facilitated additional investment and output, underscoring how vertical integration and wartime demand propelled local firms beyond regional competition.[11] By mid-century, these operations dominated Rossville's industrial landscape, employing thousands and shaping the town's infrastructure through mill villages that included housing, stores, and community facilities tied directly to factory rhythms.[3] Textiles accounted for the majority of local manufacturing output and workforce participation, with facilities like the later Rossville Development Corp. complex spanning 1.5 million square feet and supporting ancillary yarn production that fed into northwest Georgia's burgeoning tufted carpet sector.[3] This dominance stemmed from empirical advantages—proximity to raw materials, non-unionized labor pools, and efficient rail access—though it also entrenched economic dependence on a single sector vulnerable to external shifts.[10]Post-War Decline and Mill Closures
Following World War II, Rossville's textile sector, which had expanded rapidly during the war to meet demand for military fabrics, encountered mounting pressures from rising labor costs, attempts at unionization, and early signs of foreign competition. Mills in the region, including those in Rossville, resisted organized labor, viewing it as a threat to profitability amid shifting market dynamics toward synthetic fibers and overseas production. By the late 1950s, these tensions culminated in operational cutbacks, with Burlington Industries, owner of the Peerless Woolen Mills, announcing plans to shutter its Rossville facility by the end of 1961 due to opposition to union activities. A federal judge upheld the closure in November 1961, allowing it without collective bargaining, resulting in approximately 1,700 job losses that exacerbated local economic strain.[10][12] The Richmond Hosiery Mill, one of Rossville's oldest and largest operations established in 1898 and employing thousands in hosiery production, followed suit by shutting down in the late 1960s amid broader industry contraction. Peerless Woolen Mills, already closed, suffered a devastating fire in 1967 that further symbolized the town's fading industrial prominence, leaving the once-central facility in ruins. These closures contributed to a ripple effect, including the 1979 shutdown of Kenyon Industries' Rossville plant, which consolidated operations elsewhere due to uncompetitive domestic finishing processes.[10][11][13] The cumulative impact hollowed out Rossville's economy, transforming mill villages into underutilized spaces and prompting population outflows as former workers sought employment beyond textiles. While southern mills had briefly prospered post-war through modernization, the closures underscored vulnerabilities to global shifts, with Georgia's textile employment beginning a long-term decline that accelerated in subsequent decades.[14]Modern Developments and Revitalization Efforts
In response to the economic decline following textile mill closures, Rossville has pursued revitalization through public-private partnerships and state incentives aimed at downtown redevelopment. The city established the Rossville Downtown Development Authority (RDDA) to promote a vibrant district for living, working, and recreation, utilizing tools such as the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund and Georgia Cities Revolving Loan Fund for property rehabilitation and job creation.[15] A key incentive arrived in 2019 when Rossville received designation as a Rural Zone from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, granting a threefold tax credit effective January 1, 2020, for real estate acquisition, property rehabilitation, and job creation across 83 downtown parcels encompassing nearly 2 million square feet of vacant space. This complements the area's Federal Opportunity Zone status, intended to spur large-scale private investment and address underutilized industrial sites.[16] Prominent among projects is the adaptive reuse of the historic Peerless Woolen Mill, a 1.5-million-square-foot complex on 32 acres, initiated by developer Tyler Cauble in 2021 to create a mixed-use hub with apartments, offices, retail, restaurants, and light industrial space. Phase one, including a six-bay food hall, advanced in 2024, supported by brownfield grants for site cleanup, positioning the mill as a community town center to drive economic revival.[17][18][19] The 2020-2025 SPLOST program allocates funds for economic development, including downtown revitalization along the McFarland Avenue Corridor, while a 2018 ordinance designated a Central Business District to facilitate remodeling and infrastructure upgrades. These initiatives seek to counter "border town syndrome" by attracting visitors and residents, though progress remains gradual amid challenges like property vacancy and proximity to Chattanooga.[20][21][22]Geography
Location and Topography
Rossville is located in Walker County in northwestern Georgia, United States, approximately 34.98°N 85.29°W. The city lies immediately south of the Tennessee-Georgia state line, adjacent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. Walker County occupies 447 square miles along the northwestern edge of Georgia, with its northern border coterminous with Tennessee.[23][24] The terrain of Rossville features an average elevation of 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level. It is situated within the Valley and Ridge physiographic province, which extends across northwestern Georgia and is defined by elongated ridges and intervening valleys oriented northeast to southwest. These landforms result from the folding and faulting of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, with erosion exposing resistant sandstones and cherts forming the ridges and softer shales and limestones underlying the valleys.[25][26][27] Rossville occupies a position in the Rossville Valley at the foot of Lookout Mountain, the southern terminus of the Cumberland Plateau section of the Appalachian Plateau. Lookout Mountain rises sharply west of the city to elevations exceeding 1,800 feet, creating a dramatic escarpment overlooking the valley floor. This topography influences local drainage patterns, with streams flowing eastward from the mountain into the Tennessee River basin. Features such as Rossville Gap, at approximately 758 feet elevation, provide natural passes through the surrounding ridges.[28][29]
Climate and Weather Patterns
Rossville features a humid subtropical climate classified as Köppen Cfa, marked by hot, humid summers, mild winters, and evenly distributed precipitation.[30] Average annual temperatures vary from winter lows of approximately 30°F to summer highs of 88°F, with overall conditions supporting a growing season of about 200-220 days.[31] July averages include highs near 92°F and lows around 70°F, while January sees highs of 54°F and lows of 32°F.[32] Annual precipitation totals roughly 50 inches, predominantly as rain, with snowfall averaging only 1 inch per year.[33] Summers bring frequent thunderstorms due to high humidity and convective activity, often resulting in muggy conditions and occasional severe storms.[34] Winters remain relatively wet and overcast about half the time, with rare freezes but minimal ice accumulation.[35] The area's weather patterns expose it to severe events, including tornadoes, with 68 historical occurrences of EF-2 or stronger magnitude recorded in or near Rossville.[36] The April 27-28, 2011, Tornado Super Outbreak produced multiple tornadoes in the region, causing significant damage and prompting long-term resident precautions.[37] Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding, as in April 2017 when 3-4 inches fell rapidly, overwhelming drains and damaging properties.[38] Though inland, Rossville experiences 114 documented high-wind events, with tropical remnants occasionally delivering gusts and downpours.[39]Environmental and Natural Features
Rossville lies within the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of the Appalachian Mountains, featuring undulating valleys, steep ridges, and karst landscapes with caves and sinkholes. The city occupies the Chattanooga Valley at elevations ranging from approximately 650 to 800 feet (198 to 244 meters), bordered to the west by the prominent Lookout Mountain escarpment, which rises sharply to over 1,800 feet (549 meters) and supports rugged terrain with rock outcrops, cliffs, and seasonal waterfalls such as Glen Falls.[40][41] The predominant vegetation consists of mixed deciduous forests dominated by oak, hickory, and pine species, interspersed with open woodlands and riparian zones along streams, reflecting the region's temperate deciduous forest biome.[42] Hydrologically, the area is drained by South Chickamauga Creek and its tributaries, which originate in the surrounding ridges and flow northward toward the Tennessee River, providing habitat for fish species including largemouth bass, crappie, and native minnows; in April 2024, a Walker County angler from Rossville set a state record for a 1-pound (0.45 kg) mimic shiner caught in the creek, underscoring its ecological viability for smaller aquatic species.[43] Adjacent public lands, such as the 20,657-acre Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Walker County, encompass diverse habitats including hardwood forests, cedar glades, and limestone caves that sustain wildlife like white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, and various bird species, with opportunities for habitat conservation amid recreational use.[44] The region's industrial history, particularly textile milling, has left a legacy of environmental contamination, including airborne particulates documented in a 1967-1968 interstate air quality study prompted by resident complaints over mill emissions, as well as soil and water pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a 2018 transformer oil spill at an abandoned mill site.[45][46] Recent assessments of brownfield sites in Walker County, funded by EPA grants, have identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and asbestos, linked to former mill operations, necessitating remediation to mitigate risks to groundwater and Chattanooga Creek watershed health.[47] Conservation initiatives include septic system repairs along the Chattanooga Creek to curb bacterial pollution and grants for park pond enhancements creating eco-learning spaces, aimed at restoring local water quality and habitats.[48][49]Demographics
Population Growth and Trends
The population of Rossville experienced steady growth from 3,531 in the 2000 census to a peak of 4,097 in the 2010 census, representing an increase of 566 residents or 16.03% over the decade.[50] This expansion outpaced the national average growth rate of 9.63% during the same period and aligned with broader regional economic ties to the Chattanooga metropolitan area.[50] Between 2010 and 2020, the population declined modestly to 3,975, a decrease of 122 residents or 2.98%, reflecting potential influences such as local industrial shifts though direct causal data remains limited in census summaries.[50] Post-2020 estimates show fluctuations with slight recovery: 4,005 in 2021, 3,971 in 2022, and 3,991 in 2023, yielding a net increase of 16 residents or 0.40% from 2020 levels.[50] Over the longer span from 2000 to 2023, Rossville's population grew by 460 residents, or 13.03%, at an average annual rate of 0.57%, indicating overall stability rather than robust expansion typical of larger urban centers.[50] Recent annual changes remain minimal, with a -0.025% dip from 2022 to 2023, underscoring a trend of stagnation amid broader Walker County dynamics.[51]| Census/Estimate Year | Population | Change from Prior Decade/Period |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,531 | - |
| 2010 | 4,097 | +566 (+16.03%) |
| 2020 | 3,975 | -122 (-2.98%) |
| 2023 (estimate) | 3,991 | +16 (+0.40% from 2020) |
Racial and Ethnic Breakdown
As of the American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates, the racial and ethnic composition of Rossville's population of approximately 3,981 is predominantly White non-Hispanic at 81%.[54] Black or African American non-Hispanic residents comprise 7%.[54] Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race account for 6%, with the remainder including smaller shares of two or more races (non-Hispanic, around 5%), other races, Asian (less than 0.1%), and American Indian or Alaska Native.[51][53]| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage (ACS 2023) |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 81% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 7% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6% |
| Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 5% |
| Other races (including Asian, Native American) | 1% |
Socioeconomic Indicators
Rossville's median household income was $47,791 in 2023, reflecting a 11.5% increase from $42,845 the previous year.[51] Per capita income, based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, was $27,707 in 2022.[54] The poverty rate in Rossville was 20% according to recent ACS data, affecting approximately 775 individuals out of 3,880 for whom status was determined; this exceeds the Georgia state rate of 13.3% by more than 1.5 times.[54] [51] Educational attainment for residents aged 25 and older shows 20% without a high school diploma and 36% with a high school diploma as their highest level of education.[54] Unemployment stood at 6.8% among the local workforce.[55] The homeownership rate was approximately 56%.[56]| Indicator | Value | Period/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,791 | 2023[51] |
| Per Capita Income | $27,707 | 2022 ACS[54] |
| Poverty Rate | 20% | Recent ACS[54] |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | Recent estimates[55] |
| Homeownership Rate | 56% | Recent data[56] |
Census Data Highlights
The 2020 United States Census enumerated a population of 3,980 for Rossville, Georgia, marking a decline of 125 residents or 3.0% from the 4,105 recorded in the 2010 Census.[57] This positions Rossville as a small urban area within Walker County, with a land area of 1.806 square miles, resulting in a population density of approximately 2,203 persons per square mile.[58] The American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-year estimates, derived from Census Bureau data, indicate a median age of 44 years, higher than the national median of 39, reflecting an aging demographic profile.[59] Housing data from the same ACS period shows 1,837 total housing units, of which 88.5% were occupied, with an average household size of 2.14 persons.[60] Veteran status highlights include 8.2% of the civilian population aged 18 and over having served in the armed forces, above the national average of 5.9%.[61]| Census Metric | Value (2020 Decennial or Latest ACS) |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,980 (2020)[57] |
| Households | 1,658 (ACS 2023)[60] |
| Median Household Income | $47,791 (ACS 2023)[59] |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% (ACS 2023)[59] |
Government and Politics
Municipal Structure and Leadership
Rossville operates under a mayor-council form of government, with an elected mayor serving as the chief executive and a city council functioning as the legislative body.[62] The mayor presides over council meetings and represents the city in official capacities, while the council enacts ordinances, approves budgets, and oversees municipal policies.[62] The city council comprises the mayor and several council members, elected at-large to staggered terms.[63] Council meetings occur on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Rossville Civic Center, remaining open to the public unless otherwise specified.[62] Agendas and minutes are accessible via the city's official website.[62] As of October 2025, Jonathan Lassetter serves as mayor pro tempore and acting mayor amid a vacancy in the mayoral office, with a special election scheduled for November 4, 2025, to fill the position.[64][65] Current council members include Todd Franklin, Erica Harris, and Jarret Lassetter.[62][63] The city clerk's office supports administrative functions, including record-keeping and election coordination, located at 400 McFarland Avenue.[66]Recent Administrative Controversies
In September 2024, Rossville Mayor Hal Gray Jr. resigned amid allegations of misusing city funds for personal expenses.[67] On September 9, 2024, during a city council meeting, Vice Mayor Jonathan Lassetter presented evidence claiming Gray had charged taxpayer money to items such as personal clothing and travel to a political rally.[68] Residents attending the meeting voiced strong disapproval of Gray's budget oversight, contributing to heightened tensions.[69] Gray's resignation took effect on September 13, 2024, following the public scrutiny, though no criminal charges against him were reported in connection with these claims.[70] Earlier, in October 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Mark Harris, the former director of Rossville's Public Works Department, on one count of theft by taking.[71] Harris, aged 53 and a resident of Rossville, faced charges related to the alleged theft of city resources, highlighting internal administrative accountability issues within the department responsible for infrastructure maintenance.[71] In June 2024, the city council voted to terminate its contract with the Rossville Athletic Association for managing municipal ball fields, sparking debate over increased liability exposure and potential taxpayer costs for insurance.[72] Mayor Gray and one council member opposed the decision, arguing it unnecessarily heightened risks without adequate mitigation, amid broader concerns about fiscal prudence in recreational facilities.[72]Fiscal Policies and Local Governance
The City of Rossville adheres to Georgia's statutory requirements for municipal financial management, including the preparation of annual budgets, adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and submission of audited financial reports. The city council exercises primary oversight through ordinance adoption of the general fund budget each fiscal year, with public hearings mandated prior to final approval. For fiscal year 2025-2026, the council considered Ordinance #559 to establish the general fund budget during its October 13, 2025, meeting.[73] Property taxes, determined by the millage rate applied to assessed values, form the cornerstone of local revenue, supplemented by fees, grants, and business licenses. The millage rate stood at 10.96 mills from 2018 through at least fiscal year 2020, anticipated to yield roughly $675,000.[74] Adjustments in subsequent years reflected efforts to mitigate effective tax hikes amid property value appreciation: a rollback from 10.640 to 10.137 mills for 2024 and further to 9.525 mills for 2025, both without proposed increases relative to the prior digest.[75] A notice of 24.31% property tax increase was issued for 2023, tied to millage and valuation changes.[76] Fiscal governance has encountered scrutiny over executive spending practices. In September 2024, Vice Mayor Jonathan Lassetter accused then-Mayor Hal Gray of diverting taxpayer funds for personal items such as clothing and travel to a political rally, based on a detailed presentation to the council.[68] Gray resigned shortly thereafter, amid the council's approval of the 2024-2025 budget, which incorporated restrictions curtailing the mayor's discretionary spending to bolster council accountability.[67] Annual audits, as required under Georgia Code §36-81-7, provide external validation of financial integrity, with the fiscal year 2023 report confirming compliance with auditing standards.[77]Economy
Historical Economic Foundations
Rossville's early economy relied on agriculture, with white settlers from Virginia and the Carolinas establishing farms on the region's fertile land following the Cherokee removal in 1838.[23] These pioneers, many acquiring tracts through the Georgia Land Lottery of 1832, focused on subsistence farming and cash crops like cotton, which dominated Georgia's agrarian base in the antebellum period.[3] The Civil War disrupted this foundation, with local resources strained by Confederate demands and postwar reconstruction delaying industrial shifts. The late 19th century marked a transition to manufacturing, catalyzed by Georgia's burgeoning textile sector, which capitalized on abundant cotton supplies and water power from nearby rivers.[14] Rossville's textile industry commenced with the Richmond Hosiery Mill, established in 1898, which produced socks and grew to employ 400 workers by 1910 and 700 by 1922, becoming one of northwest Georgia's largest operations.[10] This mill exemplified the era's labor-intensive model, including child workers documented in early 20th-century surveys.[11] A pivotal development occurred in 1905, coinciding with Rossville's incorporation, when John L. Hutcheson Sr. founded the Peerless Woolen Mills, specializing in woolen fabrics and blankets.[3] By the 1950s, Peerless had expanded to claim status as the world's largest single-unit mill, employing over 3,000 and supplying U.S. military needs during World War II.[10][11] These mills anchored the local economy, drawing migrant labor and fostering ancillary businesses, though vulnerability to fires—like the 1967 blaze at Peerless—and unionization pressures foreshadowed later declines.[3]Current Employment Sectors
The economy of Rossville employs approximately 1,800 residents as of 2023, with employment distributed across diverse sectors reflecting both local service-oriented roles and proximity to Walker County's manufacturing base.[51] The largest industry by employment is retail trade, supporting 303 jobs, followed by professional, scientific, and technical services with 286 employees, and construction with 271 workers.[51] These figures, derived from American Community Survey data, indicate a shift toward service and professional sectors in the city proper, though manufacturing retains influence through major regional employers.[51] Manufacturing continues as a cornerstone of the broader Walker County economy, which encompasses Rossville and drives commuting patterns for local workers. Key employers include Shaw Industries Group, a leading carpet and flooring producer with facilities in the county; Roper Corporation, focused on household appliances and major appliances; and Hitachi Astemo, specializing in automotive brake systems.[78][79] In 2024, manufacturing ranked among the top sectors for Rossville's labor force of 2,025, alongside health care and social assistance and retail trade.[80] Recent investments, such as Roper's $118 million expansion announced in 2025, underscore ongoing growth in this sector, bolstering employment stability amid national trends.[81] Other notable sectors include health care, education, and logistics, supported by the area's position near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Healthcare and social assistance emerged as a leading industry in 2024 assessments, reflecting demand for medical and support services in a region with an aging population.[80] Construction benefits from ongoing infrastructure and residential development, while professional services encompass administrative and technical roles often tied to nearby urban centers.[51] Unemployment in Walker County hovered around 3-4% in recent years, with manufacturing and services providing resilience against broader economic fluctuations.[82]| Industry | Employment (2023) | Share of Workforce |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 303 | ~17% |
| Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services | 286 | ~16% |
| Construction | 271 | ~15% |
| Manufacturing (county influence) | N/A (regional) | Significant |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | Leading in 2024 | ~15-20% est. |