America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers
Unexpected Workforce Trends in Post-Pandemic Manhattan
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on our nation’s cities. During the period of social distancing and remote work, people moved away from city centers and some businesses closed for good.
Although most restrictions were temporary, the economic and demographic shifts in many of our nation’s cities endured. In the post-pandemic era, city life settled into a new normal with a different mix of businesses, workers and residents.
To illustrate this trend, we focus on the borough of Manhattan in New York City, the nation’s most densely populated area and one of its most prominent business districts.
Manhattan, once known primarily for finance, has undergone an extraordinary labor market transformation in recent years with consistent post-pandemic workforce growth in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation and Accommodation and Food Services industry sectors. These new workers also trended younger and a greater share were female in 2023 than in 2021.
Recently released Census Bureau data in the OnTheMap data tool allow us to track these changes in workforce characteristics over time. This unique mapping tool analyzes where workers are employed and live.
Continue reading to learn more about changes in Manhattan after COVID-19.
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