Special Report

Fastest Growing Local Economy in Every State

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused the most significant GDP decline in modern U.S. history. Many businesses shuttered and many workers lost jobs, bringing the economy to a screeching halt. Even when factoring in the devastating effects of 2020, many local economies still grew overall from 2015 to 2020.

Each state had at least one county in which the GDP increased from 2015 to 2020. In some states, GDP in the fastest growing local economy increased by just a few percentage points. In others, the size of the county’s economy more than doubled.

To determine the fastest growing local economy in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on real GDP at the county level from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Counties were ranked based on percentage change in real GDP from 2015 to 2020.

The majority of the counties in each state with the fastest growing economy are not especially wealthy areas. Most have median household incomes that are lower than the U.S. median of $64,994.

The U.S. has one of the most diverse economies in the world, and the fastest growing local economies in each state were buoyed by a wide variety of industries. Multiple counties on this list had manufacturing, utilities, agriculture, management, information, and oil and gas extraction rank as their fastest growing industry. This is the fastest growing job in every state.

Click here to see the fastest growing local economy in every state

Alabama: Clay County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +26.0% (county); +2.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.4%
> Median household income: $42,678
> Largest place in county: Lineville

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Alaska: Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +10.8% (county); +-8.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 7.8%
> Median household income: $54,018
> Largest place in county: Metlakatla

Arizona: Graham County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +37.3% (county); +13.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.0%
> Median household income: $55,693
> Largest place in county: Safford

Arkansas: Mississippi County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +32.6% (county); +2.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 7.0%
> Median household income: $42,986
> Largest place in county: Blytheville

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California: Marin County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +39.7% (county); +13.0% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.8%
> Median household income: $121,671
> Largest place in county: San Rafael

Colorado: Kiowa County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +86.4% (county); +10.8% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.4%
> Median household income: $39,503
> Largest place in county: Eads

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Connecticut: Tolland County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +3.4% (county); +-2.8% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Transportation and warehousing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.8%
> Median household income: $87,809
> Largest place in county: Storrs

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Delaware: Kent County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +12.9% (county); +-7.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Management of companies and enterprises
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 5.2%
> Median household income: $60,117
> Largest place in county: Dover

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Florida: Sumter County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +45.3% (county); +10.8% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Construction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.2%
> Median household income: $59,618
> Largest place in county: The Villages

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Georgia: Brooks County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +47.0% (county); +9.7% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.2%
> Median household income: $37,516
> Largest place in county: Quitman

Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +1.4% (county); +-6.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Information
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.7%
> Median household income: $65,401
> Largest place in county: Hilo

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Idaho: Jefferson County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +43.4% (county); +16.8% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Information
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.9%
> Median household income: $65,577
> Largest place in county: Rigby

Illinois: Cumberland County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +59.2% (county); +-1.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.3%
> Median household income: $59,271
> Largest place in county: Neoga

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Indiana: Posey County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +156.4% (county); +5.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.1%
> Median household income: $64,983
> Largest place in county: Mount Vernon

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Iowa: Ida County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +42.6% (county); +-1.0% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.1%
> Median household income: $54,219
> Largest place in county: Ida Grove

Kansas: Greeley County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +100.0% (county); +5.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 1.0%
> Median household income: $53,750
> Largest place in county: Tribune

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Kentucky: Scott County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +30.5% (county); +1.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.0%
> Median household income: $71,750
> Largest place in county: Georgetown

Louisiana: St. James Parish
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +43.8% (county); +-4.6% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 5.5%
> Median household income: $53,209
> Largest place in county: South Vacherie

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Maine: Waldo County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +16.8% (county); +8.0% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Wholesale trade
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.8%
> Median household income: $58,034
> Largest place in county: Belfast

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Maryland: Cecil County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +18.7% (county); +1.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Transportation and warehousing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.4%
> Median household income: $79,415
> Largest place in county: Elkton

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Massachusetts: Suffolk County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +13.0% (county); +6.5% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Information
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.7%
> Median household income: $74,881
> Largest place in county: Boston

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Michigan: Clare County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +26.9% (county); +0.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 8.9%
> Median household income: $41,163
> Largest place in county: Clare

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Minnesota: Pennington County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +35.4% (county); +2.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.1%
> Median household income: $60,940
> Largest place in county: Thief River Falls

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Mississippi: Issaquena County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +129.1% (county); +-0.8% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: N/A
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 8.7%
> Median household income: $28,333
> Largest place in county: Mayersville

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Missouri: Sullivan County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +101.9% (county); +1.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Educational services
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.6%
> Median household income: $44,056
> Largest place in county: Milan

Montana: Chouteau County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +54.7% (county); +1.7% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.3%
> Median household income: $45,707
> Largest place in county: Fort Benton

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Nebraska: Dixon County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +58.2% (county); +5.6% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.2%
> Median household income: $57,243
> Largest place in county: Wakefield

Nevada: Storey County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +96.7% (county); +6.5% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.3%
> Median household income: $64,000
> Largest place in county: Virginia City

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New Hampshire: Hillsborough County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +7.4% (county); +4.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.5%
> Median household income: $82,099
> Largest place in county: Manchester

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New Jersey: Mercer County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +16.5% (county); +1.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.5%
> Median household income: $83,306
> Largest place in county: Trenton

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New Mexico: Eddy County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +31.9% (county); +3.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Management of companies and enterprises
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.3%
> Median household income: $65,000
> Largest place in county: Carlsbad

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New York: Rensselaer County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +23.3% (county); +3.4% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.7%
> Median household income: $72,510
> Largest place in county: Troy

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North Carolina: Transylvania County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +89.5% (county); +5.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.3%
> Median household income: $51,509
> Largest place in county: Brevard

North Dakota: Towner County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +110.1% (county); +-3.5% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.9%
> Median household income: $49,464
> Largest place in county: Cando

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Ohio: Monroe County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +78.2% (county); +1.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 8.3%
> Median household income: $46,241
> Largest place in county: Woodsfield

Oklahoma: Kingfisher County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +37.7% (county); +-3.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Retail trade
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 2.0%
> Median household income: $61,738
> Largest place in county: Beaver Valley

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Oregon: Crook County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +28.4% (county); +12.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 5.7%
> Median household income: $59,000
> Largest place in county: Prineville

Pennsylvania: Potter County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +21.3% (county); +0.2% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 7.0%
> Median household income: $47,696
> Largest place in county: Coudersport

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Rhode Island: Newport County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +5.7% (county); +-2.7% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Finance and insurance
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.2%
> Median household income: $84,282
> Largest place in county: Newport

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South Carolina: Lancaster County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +38.9% (county); +8.6% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Information
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 4.7%
> Median household income: $65,421
> Largest place in county: Lancaster

South Dakota: Clark County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +53.5% (county); +2.2% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.8%
> Median household income: $50,709
> Largest place in county: Clark

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Tennessee: Moore County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +134.8% (county); +3.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Construction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 1.8%
> Median household income: $63,762
> Largest place in county: Lynchburg, Moore County

Texas: Loving County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +285.9% (county); +8.0% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 0.8%
> Median household income: $44,076
> Largest place in county: Mentone

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Utah: Utah County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +36.0% (county); +20.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Management of companies and enterprises
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 1.8%
> Median household income: $77,057
> Largest place in county: Provo

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Vermont: Franklin County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +5.1% (county); +-1.6% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Wholesale trade
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.0%
> Median household income: $65,314
> Largest place in county: St. Albans

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Virginia: Brunswick County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +161.8% (county); +4.1% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 5.4%
> Median household income: $46,111
> Largest place in county: Lawrenceville

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Washington: Klickitat County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +52.2% (county); +20.6% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Manufacturing
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 6.5%
> Median household income: $56,667
> Largest place in county: Goldendale

West Virginia: Doddridge County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +55.8% (county); +-1.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Utilities
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.5%
> Median household income: $51,300
> Largest place in county: West Union

Wisconsin: St. Croix County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +12.6% (county); +0.9% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Wholesale trade
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.5%
> Median household income: $84,985
> Largest place in county: Hudson

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Wyoming: Carbon County
> Real GDP growth, 2015 to 2020: +11.6% (county); +-10.3% (state)
> Fastest growing industry: Management of companies and enterprises
> Unemployment rate, Feb. 2022: 3.8%
> Median household income: $62,423
> Largest place in county: Rawlins

 

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