Like the national and departmental proportions, the female population of the commune is higher than the male population. The rate (54%) is higher by more than two points than the national rate (51.9%). Percentage distribution of age groups in Annonay and Ardèche Department in 2009  Sources:  Annonay has a strong industrial tradition, originally powered by the water flowing through the deep gorges around the town. In the 19th century, it was connected to the Paris-Lyon Railway and was famed for the best paper in France. It also produced glove leather and cotton, woolen, and silk goods. A modern dam was constructed across the Ternay, an affluent of the Deûme northwest of town, which expanded the power available to local factories. By the First World War, the leather industry had become predominant, while the economy expanded to include more raw silk, flour, chemical manures, glue, gelatine, brushes, chocolates, and candles. Although the leather industry has since declined, the "Tannerie d'Annonay" ("Annonay Tannery") continues the tradition under the "Grison" brand. Irisbus (a Renault Vehicles Industries and Fiat Iveco joint venture) builds buses and is the largest single employer with around 2,000 staff with several associated businesses. The multinational paper company Arjo Wiggins subsidiary "Papeteries Canson et Montgolfier SA", which dates back to 1557 owns three of the several paper factories in the town. Other industries in or close to the town include plastics, textiles, and pharmaceutical companies including Ciba, Aguettant and Tetra Médical. There are a number of vineyards near the town. The average salary in the area is 23,300 euro. The regional newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré is available in Annonay. It also hosts the headquarters of the weekly "Le Reveil du Vivarais". Another weekly "L'Hebdo de l'Ardèche" also covers the territory. Since the early 2000s a free monthly made its appearance, L'Indispensable is distributed among traders in the Annonay basin. It informs readers about cultural events taking place around the region.