Large counties with the highest percent declines in employment, 1996 County Percent decline District of Columbia, D.C. -2.7 Gaston, N.C. -2.0 Passaic, N.J. -1.7 Mercer, N.J. -1.7 Broome, N.Y. -1.7 Elkhart, Ind. -1.6 Orleans, La. -1.4 St. Louis City, Mo. -1.4