December 12, 2000, 1:10 PM — Vital statistics
Population:
State: 2,654,052 (ranks 32nd in nation)
Wichita area: 548,714
Unemployment rate:
State: 3.4% (national: 3.9%)
Wichita: 3.9%
Median housing cost:
Wichita area: $91,400 (national: $141,800)
Business outlook
Top industries:
Agriculture, livestock, aerospace, business services, manufacturing
Top employers:
Bombardier, Learjet, Cessna Aircraft, Raytheon, Boeing, Koch Industries, General
Motors, IBP
Economic outlook:
An excellent growing season in 2000 helped to boost the state's economy, while
tightness in the labor markets has eased slightly.
Tax situation:
The state sales tax rate is 4.9 percent, the state income tax rate depends on
income level, and the property tax rates vary by location.
Local talk:
"The boom in call centers, the passage of a school bond and transportation bill,
and national retailers moving into the Wichita market are going to translate into more
jobs."
-- Janet Harrah, director, Wichita State University's Center for Economic
Development and Business Research
IT salaries, large companies
Wichita:
Vice president, IS: $163,803
IS director: $139,193
Network services: $88,018
Web resources
State of Kansas - www.ink.org
Kansas' official site includes business and commerce information, along with social
service job listings.
Kansas Technology Enterprise -
Promoting technology-related economic development in Kansas, this quasi-public
corporation provides business contacts and links to useful resources.
SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS, RELOCATION CENTRAL, POSITIVE SUPPORT REVIEW SALARY SURVEY
