Owen Sound's labour pool is highly mobile and of significant size.
Finding skilled employees is not a major problem here. Occasionally,
local manufacturers have been forced to seek specialists from major urban
centres, usually with excellent results.
In Grey and Bruce counties, there is a strong seasonal component to the
labour force due to the tourist season. Therefore, employment opportunities
are at their peak during the summer and early fall. Owen Sound's manufacturing
sector provides stable employment throughout the year.
The makeup of the Owen Sound and area labour force is similar to the
rest of the province, but is slightly skewed towards the service sector.
Labour Force Facts
- Owen Sound has a direct population of 22,000
- The urban population (within 15 minutes drive) numbers 35,000
- The regional labour market is 90,000
- The total population base for Grey and Bruce Counties is 157,000
Unemployment Rates
The City of Owen Sound is part of Economic Region 580. The region includes
Perth, Huron, Bruce and Grey counties, which Statistics Canada uses to
determine unemployment rates.
Traditionally, those rates have been lower than provincial and national
averages, at 3.5 to 5 %.
