I was curious to see some of the results of the recently released U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey on the status of various economic factors in the U.S. The data provides an interesting look at U.S. trends along with comparative data for each of the states and Puerto Rico. Here were the results on various factors (excluding Puerto Rico) that I looked at:
- Labor force participation over 65: U.S. – 15.5%; WI- 15.4%; High AK – 23.2%; Low OR – 12.7%
- Women’s Earnings as a % of Median: U.S. – 77.9%; WI – 74.3%; High DC – 88%; Low WY – 64.3%
- Median Household Income: U.S. – $52,029; WI – $52,094; High MD – $70,545 ; Low AR – $37,790
- % of Workers Driving Alone: U.S. 75.5%; WI – 79.3%; High AL – 83%; Low DC – 37.2%
- Median Property Values: U.S. $197,600; WI – $173,300; High HI – $560,200; Low WV – $95,900
The data would appear to indicate that we’re behind on women’s earnings, median property values and commuting patterns.
I think we have more to worry about than lagging in commuting patterns.
Here are some statistics I found interesting:
Forbes Magazine Best States for Business Ranking: Wisconsin=48th, which is a composite of the following six categories,
Business costs: 43rd
Labor supply: 36th
Regulatory environment: 37th
Economic climate: 41st
Growth prospects: 45th
Quality of life: 11th
Or how about Wisconsin’s rank in the Top 10 taxed states?!
Well, isn’t that interesting? The quality of life goes up when the factors encouraging business go down and the quality of life rises with taxes! (By this measure, NYC will soon be heavenly…)
Can there be another interpretation?
Thanks for sharing these statistics from Forbes. (You can see all the states here – http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/23/best-states-for-business-beltway-best-states_table.html) To me the most important item on the list is Quality of Life – 11th. To Forbes, business costs were the most important data point. Of the top 10 states only VA at #1 and Nebraska at #10 were ahead on this metric. The #8 best state was Texas with a #39 on quality of life. Texas is also a state with the highest number of uninsured at 26.5 vs. WI at 9%. Where would you rather live?
I looked at the statistics for cities and Forbes ranked Madison (where I live) #55 as the best place for business and careers. It fell behind hot spots like Tulsa #47, Little Rock #22 and Oklahoma City #12. Having spent time in all three of these places I can tell you that their urban cores are dead. It was nearly impossible to find a restaurant for lunch in downtown Tulsa, there also was hardly a store or a person in sight as I walked the streets of the city this summer. I found the same in Oklahoma City, where there was a brand new library, a beautiful new art/performance building; yet there wasn’t a soul around except at the OKC Memorial. I spent a weekend in downtown Little Rock – the Clinton Library/museum was interesting and the market on the river was fun, but the downtown was slow….