Lana Rhoades
The economic landscape across the United States in 2024 presented a varied picture, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experiencing growth in a significant majority of counties, while a notable portion saw declines, according to the latest estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Simultaneously, personal income trends mirrored this divergence, with widespread increases across counties but also pockets of contraction. This comprehensive data release, for the first time combining county-level GDP and personal income into a single report, offers a granular view of economic activity at the local level, underscoring the diverse economic realities faced by communities nationwide.
County GDP: A Tale of Growth and Decline
In 2024, real GDP, a measure of the total value of goods and services produced in a region adjusted for inflation, increased in 2,273 counties across the United States. This widespread growth indicates a generally positive economic trajectory for a substantial segment of the nation’s local economies. However, the data also revealed that 809 counties experienced a decrease in their real GDP, signaling economic challenges or stagnation in these areas. A small number, 24 counties, remained economically unchanged.
The disparity in economic performance was stark, with the percent change in real GDP ranging dramatically from a remarkable 76.6 percent increase in Carter County, Montana, to a substantial 46.3 percent decline in Baca County, Colorado. This wide spectrum highlights the localized nature of economic forces and the varied impact of national and global economic trends on different regions.
The size of a county’s economy, as measured by its total real GDP, exhibits considerable variation. In 2024, New York County, New York, led the nation with a staggering $813.7 billion in real GDP, underscoring its role as a global economic powerhouse. In contrast, Issaquena County, Mississippi, registered the lowest level at $15.7 million, illustrating the vast differences in economic scale across the country.
Analyzing GDP Trends by County Size
The BEA’s analysis also segmented economic performance by county population size, revealing distinct patterns:
- Large Counties (population > 500,000): These economic centers, which include major metropolitan areas, saw 145 counties experience GDP growth, with zero counties reporting a decline and one remaining unchanged. The trend range within this group was from a 10.7 percent increase in Pinal County, Arizona, to a 0.0 percent change in Johnson County, Kansas. The economic scale of these counties is immense, with New York County, NY, leading at $813.7 billion, and Pinal County, AZ, showing a significant $12.7 billion in GDP.
- Medium Counties (population 100,000 to 500,000): This category, representing a broad swathe of mid-sized urban and suburban areas, demonstrated robust growth. Out of 474 counties in this group, 451 saw their GDP increase, while 20 experienced a decline and 3 remained unchanged. The performance range here was from a 12.4 percent surge in Jefferson County, Texas, to a 2.6 percent contraction in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The economic output in these counties also varies significantly, with Mercer County, New Jersey, reaching $46.6 billion and Liberty County, Texas, at $2.6 billion.
- Small Counties (population < 100,000): This largest group of counties, comprising the majority of the nation’s local economies, showed a more mixed but still predominantly positive trend. Of the 2,476 small counties, 1,677 experienced GDP growth. However, this group also accounted for the bulk of declines, with 789 counties seeing their GDP shrink, and 20 remaining stable. The most extreme growth and decline figures were recorded within this segment: Carter County, Montana’s impressive 76.6 percent rise and Baca County, Colorado’s steep 46.3 percent fall. Despite the high volatility, many of these counties still hold substantial economic value, with Martin County, Texas, at $15.1 billion and Issaquena County, Mississippi, at $15.7 million.
The data for trends in this section indicates the number of counties experiencing growth, decline, and no appreciable change. For large counties, the breakdown was 145 growth, 0 decline, and 1 unchanged. Medium counties showed 451 growth, 20 decline, and 3 unchanged. Small counties had 1,677 growth, 789 decline, and 20 unchanged.
Personal Income Trends: A Broader Pattern of Growth
In tandem with GDP, personal income, which includes income received by households from all sources, also showed a predominantly positive trend in 2024. Personal income increased in 2,768 counties, a testament to broad-based income gains for many Americans. However, 331 counties saw a decrease in personal income, and 7 counties experienced no change.
The percent change in personal income across counties ranged from a strong 22.6 percent increase in Harding County, South Dakota, to a significant 23.3 percent decline in Issaquena County, Mississippi. While the growth figures in personal income are generally less dramatic than some of the GDP fluctuations, the decline in Issaquena County, Mississippi, is notable, particularly when contrasted with its low GDP figures.
The total level of personal income also varies immensely across the nation. Los Angeles County, California, reported the highest personal income at $818.5 billion, reflecting its immense population and economic activity. Conversely, Loving County, Texas, had the lowest personal income at $10.6 million, highlighting the economic disparities at the county level.
Analyzing Personal Income by County Size
Similar to GDP, personal income trends were examined by county population size:
- Large Counties: These counties saw 146 experience growth in personal income. The trend range here was from a 9.7 percent increase in San Joaquin County, California, to a 2.7 percent increase in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The economic scale is immense, with Los Angeles County, CA, at $818.5 billion and Pinal County, AZ, at $26.1 billion.
- Medium Counties: In this group, 474 counties experienced personal income growth. The trend range was from a 10.9 percent increase in Merced County, California, to a 1.6 percent increase in Genesee County, Michigan. The economic scale included Collier County, Florida, at $62.5 billion and Floyd County, Georgia, at $4.9 billion.
- Small Counties: This largest demographic of counties also saw the most diverse income trends. Of the 2,148 counties in this category, 2,148 experienced growth, 331 saw a decline, and 7 remained unchanged. The extreme ends of the spectrum were observed here: Harding County, South Dakota, with a 22.6 percent increase, and Issaquena County, Mississippi, with a 23.3 percent decrease. The economic scale varied widely, from Teton County, Wyoming, at $12.4 billion to Loving County, Texas, at $10.6 million.
Updates to County Statistics and Methodological Changes
The 2024 estimates represent a significant update, incorporating revised data for GDP and personal income from 2020 to 2023. These revisions are crucial as they integrate more comprehensive and up-to-date source data, aligning county-level figures with the BEA’s national and state-level accounts. This ensures greater consistency and accuracy in economic reporting.
A notable methodological change involves Connecticut. Beginning with the 2024 estimates, Connecticut’s data will be presented using its established planning region geographic definitions instead of county-level data. This shift acknowledges the unique administrative structure of the state and aims to provide more relevant economic analysis for its regions. As these planning region estimates are new, they were not included in the percent change ranges for counties in this release.
Furthermore, the BEA has introduced new estimates for per capita personal income for 2024, calculated using U.S. Census Bureau population figures for the years 2020 through 2024. This provides an additional layer of insight into the economic well-being of individuals within these counties.
A New Era for County Economic Data Reporting
This release marks a significant shift in how the BEA disseminates county-level economic data. For the first time, annual GDP and personal income by county are presented in a single, combined news release. This integration is intended to offer a more holistic understanding of county economies and replaces the previous practice of issuing two separate reports on different days. This consolidation is expected to improve efficiency and provide users with a more comprehensive overview of local economic conditions.
Discontinuation of Metropolitan Area Statistics
In a move that reflects evolving data needs and analytical priorities, the BEA has discontinued the publication of GDP and personal income statistics for metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), micropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, combined statistical areas, and their metropolitan and nonmetropolitan portions. While these statistics have been valuable, the BEA will continue to provide detailed estimates by county. This decision allows for a more focused approach on county-level data, which offers a finer granularity of economic activity. Users seeking information on metropolitan areas are advised to consult BEA’s FAQ for further details.
Enhanced Data Accessibility and Presentation
The presentation of data tables has also undergone a transformation. Instead of being embedded directly within the news release, tables are now updated and accessible simultaneously through BEA’s online Interactive Data Application. This approach aims to reduce duplication, enhance efficiency, and direct users to more flexible and comprehensive data resources. The interactive tables allow for customization, offer full time series, and can be downloaded in various formats, including PDF, Excel, and CSV. Links to these interactive tables are provided within the release for direct access.
Looking Ahead: Future Releases and Data Archiving
The BEA has also outlined its release schedule and data management practices. The next release of GDP and personal income by county is scheduled for December 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. EST, covering the 2025 data. Following this release, the 2024 data will be superseded. For users needing access to historical data that has been replaced, the BEA Data Archive will serve as a repository.
The current release also provides direct links to specific interactive data tables for GDP by county (CAGDP1) and Personal Income by County (CAINC1), covering both percent change from the preceding period and absolute levels. These links allow users to delve deeper into the data, explore historical trends, and conduct their own analyses.
The BEA emphasizes that for definitions, statistical conventions, regional breakdowns, and the uses of these statistics, users can refer to the "Additional Information" section on their website. This commitment to transparency and user support underscores the importance of these economic indicators for policymakers, researchers, and the public.
