With the sole exception of 2020, the year large segments of the U.S. economy were shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, American gross domestic product increased every year since 2009. This consistent, year-over-year expansion reflects the strength and resilience of the U.S. economy, as GDP growth is perhaps the single most comprehensive measure of overall economic health.
24/7 Wall St. Key Points:
Among similarly wealthy, highly developed countries, the U.S. economy — as indicated by GDP growth — has been relatively healthy in recent years.
Not all parts of the country have followed this trend, however, and in nearly every state, there are cities and towns suffering through economic contractions.
GDP growth can fuel virtuous economic cycles, as it often results in higher wages, reduced unemployment, improved corporate profits, and greater investor confidence. Indeed, in recent years, wages have been rising, unemployment has been at historic lows, and major stock indices have hit record highs.
But while the U.S. economy as a whole has been steadily growing — and even outperforming many other similarly wealthy, highly developed countries in recent years — the rising tide has not necessarily lifted all ships. In the last year alone, cities and towns across the country have broken with the broader trend and reported economic contractions.
Using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, 24/7 Wall St. identified the fastest shrinking local economy in each state. We reviewed data on change in GDP from 2022 to 2023 in every U.S. county or county equivalent and identified the place in every state that reported the largest economic contraction. In four states – Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island – no county reported a lower GDP in 2023 than in 2022. In these states, the county with the weakest economic growth is listed. Rankings are based on real GDP figures chained to 2017 dollars. Supplemental data on population and median household income are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program and American Community Survey.
Among the four states where no county reported a GDP contraction, economic growth rates in the counties on this list were relatively weak, all coming in below 1%. In the 46 remaining counties and county equivalents on this list, reported economic contractions range from 0.1% to well over 30%.
Just as economic growth can often be triggered by a growing population, declines in GDP can be precipitated by population decline. Among the 50 counties on this list, 22 had a smaller population in 2023 than they did in 2022. (Here is a look at the U.S. cities people are fleeing.)
Fortunately, economic decline does not appear to have had an overly negative impact on household finances in most places on this list. There are only six counties on this list where the median household income declined between 2022 and 2023. (Here is a look at the richest county in every state.)
This is the fastest shrinking local economy in every state.
Why It Matters
Change in gross domestic product over time is perhaps the most comprehensive and widely cited indicator of overall economic health for any country or region. And by this measure, the U.S. has outperformed many of its peers on the world stage in recent years. Still, positive national GDP growth does not reflect economic conditions in many American cities and towns. In nearly every state, there is at least one county that reported an economic contraction in 2023.
Alabama: Clay County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -10.3%
County GDP in 2023: $386.4 million (0.16% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $430.8 million (0.18% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: -0.51%
County population in 2023: 14,111 (0.28% of state population)
County population in 2022: 14,183 (0.28% of state population)
Median household income in county: $51,852 in 2023, $48,074 in 2022
Alaska: Yakutat City and Borough
GDP growth in borough, 2022-2023: -5.9%
Borough GDP in 2023: $36.8 million (0.07% of state GDP)
Borough GDP in 2022: $39.1 million (0.08% of state GDP)
Population change in borough, 2022-2023: +0.29%
Borough population in 2023: 687 (0.09% of state population)
Borough population in 2022: 685 (0.09% of state population)
Median household income in borough: $80,625 in 2023, $76,875 in 2022
Arizona: Greenlee County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -8.1%
County GDP in 2023: $1.5 billion (0.35% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $1.6 billion (0.39% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: +0.45%
County population in 2023: 9,369 (0.13% of state population)
County population in 2022: 9,327 (0.13% of state population)
Median household income in county: $75,239 in 2023, $73,756 in 2022
Arkansas: Howard County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -12.2%
County GDP in 2023: $577.8 million (0.40% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $657.8 million (0.47% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: -0.71%
County population in 2023: 12,533 (0.41% of state population)
County population in 2022: 12,622 (0.41% of state population)
Median household income in county: $44,492 in 2023, $44,824 in 2022
California: Sierra County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -2.4%
County GDP in 2023: $98.0 million (0.00% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $100.4 million (0.00% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: -0.68%
County population in 2023: 3,200 (0.01% of state population)
County population in 2022: 3,222 (0.01% of state population)
Median household income in county: $60,000 in 2023, $61,108 in 2022
Colorado: Washington County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -8.2%
County GDP in 2023: $186.8 million (0.04% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $203.5 million (0.05% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: +0.17%
County population in 2023: 4,855 (0.08% of state population)
County population in 2022: 4,847 (0.08% of state population)
Median household income in county: $65,164 in 2023, $59,087 in 2022
Connecticut: Litchfield County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: +0.7%
County GDP in 2023: $9.1 billion (3.16% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $9.0 billion (3.23% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2023: $357.6 million (0.05% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $592.5 million (0.09% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: +1.08%
County population in 2023: 11,738 (0.15% of state population)
County population in 2022: 11,613 (0.15% of state population)
Median household income in county: $71,227 in 2023, $68,172 in 2022
West Virginia: Pendleton County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -27.4%
County GDP in 2023: $154.9 million (0.19% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $213.5 million (0.28% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: -0.63%
County population in 2023: 6,029 (0.34% of state population)
County population in 2022: 6,067 (0.34% of state population)
Median household income in county: $61,738 in 2023, $52,458 in 2022
Wisconsin: Buffalo County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -5.6%
County GDP in 2023: $562.3 million (0.16% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $595.9 million (0.18% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: +0.22%
County population in 2023: 13,419 (0.23% of state population)
County population in 2022: 13,390 (0.23% of state population)
Median household income in county: $68,722 in 2023, $64,238 in 2022
Wyoming: Hot Springs County
GDP growth in county, 2022-2023: -16.9%
County GDP in 2023: $223.5 million (0.56% of state GDP)
County GDP in 2022: $268.9 million (0.71% of state GDP)
Population change in county, 2022-2023: +0.82%
County population in 2023: 4,661 (0.80% of state population)
County population in 2022: 4,623 (0.79% of state population)
Median household income in county: $64,375 in 2023, $64,031 in 2022
The Average American Is Losing Momentum on Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)
If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4%* today. Checking accounts are even worse.
But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying nearly 10x the national average! That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe and earn more at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other benefits as well. You can earn up to 3.80% with a Checking & Savings Account today Sign up and get up to $300 with direct deposit. No account fees. FDIC Insured.