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patchwork nation Find Your Community Type
COMMUNITY TYPE

Service Worker Centers

Characteristics
  • Midsize and small towns
  • Economies fueled by hotels, stores and restaurants
  • Lower-than-average median household income by county
  • Among the country’s least diverse with a population that is 91 percent white

Community Type Demographics

Ethnicity

Presidential Election Results

2004
  • 43%
  • Kerry in 2004
  • Kerry
  • 55%
  • Bush in 2004
  • Bush
2008
  • 47%
  • Obama in 2008
  • Obama
  • 51%
  • McCain in 2008
  • McCain

Representative Communities

Community Type Comparison

Median Household Income

  • $34,956
  • Service Worker Center
  • Service Worker Center
  • $36,934
  • College Graduates
  • National
Around the Nation

The Depreciating American Dream

Owning a home has long played a significant role in the American story; the notion that buying a house is the stepping stone to wealth and happiness goes back a long time. But the housing bubble has burst, and many local homeowners are living in the shadow of the white picket fence.

Gauging Broadband Availability vs. Affordability in Ohio

The state of Americans' Internet connectivity has been a big story in the past few weeks but mapping broadband networks is difficult. How exactly do the current networks look? Specifics are scarce, although the U.S. government has set aside $350 million for states to map their networks. Ohio already ...

Healthcare Aside, Economy Still Dominant

The March edition of Patchwork Nation's Economic Hardship Index has a score of 33.5, which is exactly where it was in February. In some communities, the number has gotten a little better over the past month. In some, it's gotten a little worse. But overall, this measure ...

Many reasons for slumping consumer confidence

On Tuesday, the Conference Board in New York released its latest consumer-confidence number. It was 46 – down almost 11 points from the previous month. That’s a far cry from a score of 90, which would mean a stable economy, or 100, which would show growth.

If you’re wondering ...

Good Times Go On Holiday In Oregon Tourist Town

Ray Suarez travels to picturesque Lincoln City, Ore., a Service Worker Center, where the recession has sapped the local tourism industry.
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