Special Report
Fastest Shrinking Local Economies in Every State
Published:
Last Updated:
Over the nearly 10 years since the end of the Great Recession, economic news has been largely positive. Economic growth is heavily influenced by job growth, and the U.S. economy has added jobs for the last 100 consecutive months. The unemployment rate, too, has declined to levels not seen since the 1960s.
A rising tide does not necessarily raise all ships, however. While nationwide economic growth should come as welcome news to every American, many are not benefitting at the local level. In every state, there are counties that have reported slower economic growth or even shrinking GDPs.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed GDP growth from 2012 to 2015 by county and county equivalents to identify the fastest shrinking local economy in every state. Massachusetts and Hawaii are the only states in which no county reported falling GDP over that period — but even in those states, there are counties that reported slower growth than the comparable 7.3% national three-year increase. Meanwhile, states like North Dakota and Nebraska have counties that reported a more than 50% GDP decline.
Economic growth is most commonly driven by increased worker productivity or a growing population — or some combination of the two. In many of the counties on this list, a shrinking population undermined GDP growth as the majority of these counties had smaller populations in 2015 than they did in 2012.
A shrinking local economy can have real implications for area residents. In 18 of the counties on this list, median household income fell between 2012 and 2015.
Methodology
To identify the fastest shrinking local economy in every state, 24/7 Wall St. calculated the change in real GDP from 2012 to 2015 with data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. We used Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data for the same period to identify the fastest shrinking industry in each county. Annual unemployment rates also came from the BLS. Population data, including that used to calculate population changes, are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Click here to see the fastest shrinking local economies in every state.
1. Alabama: Lawrence County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -34.5% (county) +1.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $477.1 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.9% (county) 4.4% (state)
> Population: 33,288 (0.7% of state)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
2. Alaska: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
> GDP change 2012-2015: -29.5% (census area) -7.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $223.0 million (0.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (1.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 18.3% (census area) 7.2% (state)
> Population: 5,453 (0.7% of state)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
3. Arizona: Apache County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.2% (county) +4.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (0.7% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (2.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 10.4% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 71,602 (1.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas: Little River County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -31.6% (county) +4.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $341.1 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Other services, except public administration (3.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.8% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 12,494 (0.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
5. California: Trinity County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -11.4% (county) +13.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $242.0 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (4.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.0% (county) 4.8% (state)
> Population: 13,037 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado: San Juan County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -40.5% (county) +12.5% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $21.5 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (12.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.2% (county) 2.8% (state)
> Population: 569 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
7. Connecticut: Litchfield County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.6% (county) -0.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $6.2 billion (2.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (0.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 184,454 (5.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
8. Delaware: New Castle County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -1.8% (county) +5.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $45.6 billion (69.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (0.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.5% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 555,036 (58.8% of state)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
9. Florida: Franklin County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -20.3% (county) +8.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $297.9 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (5.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.6% (county) 4.2% (state)
> Population: 11,675 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
10. Georgia: Baker County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -27.7% (county) +8.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $70.3 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (4.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 3,251 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> GDP change 2012-2015: +3.5% (county) +4.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $6.8 billion (8.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.8% (county) 2.4% (state)
> Population: 196,325 (13.8% of state)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
12. Idaho: Butte County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -22.7% (county) +9.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $750.8 million (1.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (5.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.0% (county) 3.2% (state)
> Population: 2,613 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
24/7 Wall St.
13. Illinois: Pope County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -24.6% (county) +2.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $49.3 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (8.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.2% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 4,360 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
14. Indiana: Ohio County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -34.8% (county) +4.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $75.6 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (6.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.6% (county) 3.5% (state)
> Population: 5,911 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
15. Iowa: Louisa County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -22.7% (county) +6.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $433.7 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (1.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.3% (county) 3.1% (state)
> Population: 11,238 (0.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
16. Kansas: Marshall County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -23.1% (county) +3.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $476.6 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.8% (county) 3.6% (state)
> Population: 9,859 (0.3% of state)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
17. Kentucky: Leslie County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -35.4% (county) +2.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $133.1 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (9.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 10.1% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 10,648 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
24/7 Wall St.
18. Louisiana: Red River Parish
> GDP change 2012-2015: -29.6% (parish) -0.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $243.0 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (3.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.2% (parish) 5.1% (state)
> Population: 8,723 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
19. Maine: Franklin County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.0% (county) +1.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $884.4 million (1.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.0% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 30,177 (2.3% of state)
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
20. Maryland: Baltimore County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -8.9% (county) +2.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $46.2 billion (13.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (0.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.3% (county) 4.1% (state)
> Population: 828,637 (13.8% of state)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
21. Massachusetts: Hampshire County
> GDP change 2012-2015: +1.4% (county) +5.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $5.7 billion (1.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (1.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.4% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 161,197 (2.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
22. Michigan: Ionia County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.0% (county) +5.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.3 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.0% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 64,147 (0.6% of state)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
23. Minnesota: Kandiyohi County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -16.5% (county) +5.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.0 billion (0.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (1.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.3% (county) 3.5% (state)
> Population: 42,577 (0.8% of state)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
24. Mississippi: Neshoba County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.0% (county) +0.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $776.0 million (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.1% (county) 5.1% (state)
> Population: 29,437 (1.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
25. Missouri: Linn County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -20.8% (county) +2.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $339.4 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Wholesale trade (2.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.9% (county) 3.8% (state)
> Population: 12,248 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
26. Montana: Silver Bow County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -26.4% (county) +6.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (4.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.9% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.2% (county) 4.0% (state)
> Population: 34,514 (3.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
27. Nebraska: Wheeler County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -60.6% (county) +7.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $37.2 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (21.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.3% (county) 2.9% (state)
> Population: 846 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
28. Nevada: Eureka County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -38.5% (county) +5.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.2 billion (0.9% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (6.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 1,728 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire: Carroll County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -5.3% (county) +5.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.7 billion (2.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (2.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.6% (county) 2.7% (state)
> Population: 47,524 (3.6% of state)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
30. New Jersey: Cape May County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -6.8% (county) +2.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $4.4 billion (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 9.1% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 94,549 (1.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
31. New Mexico: Taos County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.6% (county) +3.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $767.6 million (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 7.9% (county) 6.2% (state)
> Population: 32,809 (1.6% of state)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
32. New York: Greene County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -11.3% (county) +3.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.8 billion (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 47,791 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: New York
33. North Carolina: Person County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -24.0% (county) +6.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.4 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (2.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.7% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 39,240 (0.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
34. North Dakota: Slope County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -53.0% (county) +6.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $36.7 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (7.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 1.9% (county) 2.6% (state)
> Population: 674 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
35. Ohio: Logan County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -13.2% (county) +6.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.7 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.1% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 45,323 (0.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
36. Oklahoma: Beaver County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -14.8% (county) +12.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $230.9 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (2.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.6% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 5,445 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
37. Oregon: Sherman County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -21.8% (county) +9.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $484.3 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (4.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.8% (county) 4.1% (state)
> Population: 1,635 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
24/7 Wall St.
38. Pennsylvania: Carbon County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.9% (county) +5.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.6 billion (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.6% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 63,987 (0.5% of state)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island: Kent County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -10.6% (county) +2.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $8.7 billion (16.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.1% (county) 4.5% (state)
> Population: 164,012 (15.5% of state)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
40. South Carolina: Marion County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -9.2% (county) +7.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $403.0 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (4.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 7.4% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 31,765 (0.6% of state)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
41. South Dakota: Kingsbury County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.3% (county) +4.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $226.7 million (0.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.2% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 5,000 (0.6% of state)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
42. Tennessee: Stewart County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -19.0% (county) +6.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $563.6 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (3.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 13,248 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
43. Texas: Goliad County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -31.9% (county) +12.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $279.7 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Other services, except public administration (2.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.9% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 7,510 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Texas
44. Utah: Kane County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.3% (county) +9.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $256.3 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (4.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.4% (county) 3.2% (state)
> Population: 7,246 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
45. Vermont: Windham County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -14.6% (county) -0.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (7.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Wholesale trade (0.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 3.0% (state)
> Population: 43,332 (6.9% of state)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
46. Virginia: Surry County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -25.3% (county) +2.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.1 billion (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (2.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.5% (county) 3.8% (state)
> Population: 6,670 (0.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
47. Washington: Garfield County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -4.9% (county) +10.5% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $99.0 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (4.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.5% (county) 4.8% (state)
> Population: 2,226 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Washington
24/7 Wall St.
48. West Virginia: Clay County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -45.4% (county) +0.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $96.2 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (4.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 8.6% (county) 5.2% (state)
> Population: 8,901 (0.5% of state)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin: Kewaunee County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -37.0% (county) +4.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $557.1 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 20,378 (0.4% of state)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
50. Wyoming: Natrona County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.6% (county) +3.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $5.7 billion (14.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 4.2% (state)
> Population: 81,023 (13.9% of state)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
