A population and economic overview of Cambria County, Pennsylvania following the 1977 Johnstown Flood

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the extent of monetary damage, the loss of life and the effect on employment caused by 1977 Johnstown Flood and their subsequent effects on population, unemployment rate, poverty rate, per capita income, median household income, and education in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistics from 1980, 1990 and 2000 were used to create an economic and population overview of Cambria County. Short‐term and long‐term effects of the 1977 flood were examined to uncover possible trends regarding population and economics. Revealed trends might aid communities in recovering following a natural disaster.

Findings

There have been continuous decreases in population following the 1977 Johnstown Flood and a drastic increase in the unemployment rate following the flood. These findings suggest that the loss of key employers following a major natural disaster may lead to long‐term losses in the overall population.

Research limitations/implications

These data relate to only Cambria County and may not relate to other areas. Implications suggest that following a similar natural disaster Crisis Counselors may aid community governments in rebuilding economic infrastructures and Career Counselors could assist displaced workers with retraining and job‐seeking.

Originality/value

This paper begins to explore the relationship between natural disasters and population changes.

Citation

Spencer, J. and Myer, R. (2007), "A population and economic overview of Cambria County, Pennsylvania following the 1977 Johnstown Flood", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560710739577