Census shows suburban incomes take a hit

Suburban households saw their incomes drop sharply in the past decade, as poverty rose across the area, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

DuPage County the state's wealthiest county saw the biggest decrease, with median household incomes now about $76,355, $11,000 per year less than in 2000. That's a 12.6 percent decrease, according to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey released Wednesday.

Median household incomes dropped by 10.6 percent in Kane County, 9 percent in Lake County, 8.8 percent in Cook County, 7.5 percent in Will County and 7.4 percent in McHenry County, the data shows.

Meanwhile, poverty has increased across the suburbs. The growth in the number of people living below the poverty level ranged from 1 percent in Lake County to 2.1 percent in Kane County.

These numbers don't surprise suburban career counselors, who say they see many people who are unemployed, underemployed, took significant pay cuts at their current jobs, are trying to start home-based businesses, or are working part-time or contracted jobs.

“I have a gentleman who is a professional who is working at Target while he's looking for a job,” said Jan Leahy, executive director of the nonprofit Career Resource Center in Lake Forest. “I've been calling this an equal opportunity recession, because it's hitting all levels, all disciplines, all industries ... and it's lasting so long.”

While some people have been hired at good salaries, most job seekers have lowered their income expectations in recent years, said Becky Brillon, the program director at the Community Career Center in Naperville.

“It's very rare to find people who can rationally think they can find a new job for more money than they were making. Employers are just trying to be safe,” she said. “It's an employers' market.”

Lower household income levels don't just force families to tighten their belts, they also create a domino effect that hurts everyone, Leahy said. If companies don't create more jobs or give raises, people are forced to cut back.

“It impacts people's donations. It impacts social service agencies, but it also impacts local businesses and restaurants. People aren't spending as much because they don't have it,” Leahy said.

However, many career counselors see a silver lining to these lower household incomes. Leahy said some people are re-evaluating their career goals and what's really important to them, such as family and friends. Brillon said some people are taking the leap and making a long-awaited career change, which perhaps doesn't pay as much as their old job did but makes them happier. In some cases, a stay-at-home spouse has gone back to work and enjoyed it, she said.

Paula Kosin, a counselor and marketing manager with Career Vision in Glen Ellyn, says all signs point to a slightly brighter employment outlook for 2011.

“What they're saying is that there are signs, or glimmers of hope. But admittedly, it's going to be a very, very slow recovery,” she said. “At least there are some signs that there is beginning to be some movement.”