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Community Profile > Local Economy Highlights
Local Economy Highlights
Employment Center
In 2007, the number of jobs in the City of Williamsburg was 16,180, which is 35% greater than the City's population of 11,998 and emphasizes the City's position as an employment center in the region.
Tourism and Education
The City of Williamsburg’s economy is largely supported by tourism and education, with two world class institutions, the College of William and Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, at the core.
The majority of the 700 business establishments within the City either fall into the retail trade or accommodation / food services category.
In 2003, the Virginia Tourism Corporation reported that 8.8 million visitors experience Williamsburg annually and that the Williamsburg Area was home to five of the top ten attractions most-visited by Virginia travelers, including the number one attraction, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
The world renowned College of Wiliam and Mary calls Williamsburg home, educating 7,500 students who provide creativity, energy, and intelligence to our vibrant City.
Shopping, Dining, and Cultural Center
Per capita annual retail sales in the City are the highest in Virginia at $31,534 in 2008.
Workforce
As of October 2008, the total in-city civilian labor force was 5,180, of which 4,698 were employed and 482 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was estimated at 9.3%.
The Williamsburg, James City County, and York County civilian labor force was 64,113, and the unemployment rate 2.89%.
Due to Williamsburg’s close proximity to major metropolitan areas in Hampton Roads and Richmond, residents share a wide variety of occupational and career choices.
Sources: Weldon Cooper Center, Virginia Electronic Labor Market Access, Virginia Department of Taxation, and the Virginia Employment Commission