Newly Released Census Data Highlight Upper Merion’s Evolving Job Market

Newly released employment data from the US Census Bureau provides a detailed look at the scale, strength and composition of Upper Merion’s job market.

The 2023 LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics highlight the township’s continued role as a major regional employment center, while also revealing important shifts in industry mix, earnings and commuting patterns. Together, these insights offer a clearer understanding of how Upper Merion’s economy is evolving and positioning itself for long-term vitality.

In 2023, Upper Merion supported 64,701 jobs, up from 60,776 jobs in 2020 and slightly above the 63,487 jobs recorded in 2019. This rebound re-affirms Upper Merion’s distinction as the third-largest employment center in the greater Philadelphia region, anchored by strong regional accessibility and a diverse economic base. While total jobs have rebounded, the structure of employment has shifted in noticeable ways.

Several in-person service industries and traditional office-based sectors now provide fewer jobs than pre-pandemic. Between 2019 and 2023, Accommodation & Food Services fell by nearly 1,000 jobs, Retail Trade declined by 581 jobs, Finance & Insurance fell by 725 jobs and Information employment dropped by 591 jobs. These changes reflect broader global trends toward automation, digital services and more efficient business operations.

At the same time, growth in other sectors helped drive Upper Merion’s overall job rebound. Administration & Support and Waste Management, Management of Companies & Enterprises and Health Care & Social Assistance each added roughly 1,000 jobs since 2019. Educational Services and Wholesale Trade each expanded by around 500 jobs. Together, these increases align with global trends toward higher skill, more efficient employment models that support long-term operations.

The workforce that supports Upper Merion’s job base is characterized by rising earnings and a strong regional draw. In 2023, 68.2% of workers earned more than $3,333 per month, up from 62% in 2020, reflecting continued growth in higher-paying employment. Upper Merion’s jobs also attract workers from across the region, with approximately 14% of employees living in Philadelphia, 3.6% in King of Prussia and more than three quarters commuting from surrounding communities. These stable commute patterns reinforce Upper Merion’s role as an employment hub serving the broader regional labor market.

Overall, Upper Merion demonstrates steady employment growth, meaningful shifts in industry composition and rising earnings, positioning the township to remain a vital regional employment center with long-term economic strength.