2022 Pandemic Assessment: Creative Industry Jobs in Buncombe County
The 2022 Creative Jobs Pandemic Assessment At-A-Glance provides a concise yet revealing snapshot of how Buncombe County’s creative sector was impacted by and began to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, creative industry employment dropped by 18% between 2019 and 2020—falling from 13,736 to 11,303 jobs. While modest recovery occurred in 2021, with jobs rising to 11,490, this still represented a net loss of over 2,200 jobs from pre-pandemic levels.
The hardest-hit subgroups within core creative industries included Musical Instrument Manufacturing and Art Dealers, while more resilient or recovering sectors included Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers, Historical Sites, and Breweries.
Top Creative Industry Jobs in 2021:
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
- Historical Sites
- Breweries
- Commercial Printing
- Used Merchandise Stores
Leading Creative Industry Earnings in 2021:
- Breweries
- Software Publishers
- Historical Sites (All Creative Industries)
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing
- Jewelry Stores (Core Creative Industries)
2021 Top Creative Industry Sales:
- Breweries
- Software Publishers
- Historical Sites
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
Though still below 2019 employment levels, the data suggests early signs of resilience and momentum in parts of the creative economy by the end of 2021. The snapshot aligns with broader national trends and sets the stage for ongoing recovery in subsequent years.
RELATED REPORTS
Buncombe County Creative Jobs Report 2015–2019
Buncombe County’s creative jobs grew 22% from 2015–2019, reaching 13,736. Explore top industries, core sectors, and workforce trends before the pandemic.