Posted by
Defend America on Friday, March 26, 2010 11:48:52 PM
Personal Income Drops Across the Country
Personal income in 42 states fell in 2009, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
Nevada's 4.8% plunge was the steepest, as construction and tourism
industries took a beating. Also hit hard: Wyoming, where incomes fell
3.9%.
Incomes stayed flat in two states and rose in six and the District
of Columbia. West Virginia had the best showing with a 2.1% increase.
In Maine, Kentucky and Hawaii, increased government benefits, such as
unemployment insurance and Social Security, offset drops in earnings
and property values.
Nationally, personal income from wages, dividends, rent, retirement
plans and government benefits declined 1.7% last year, unadjusted for
inflation. One bright spot: As the economy recovered, personal income
was up in all 50 states in the fourth quarter compared with the third.
Connecticut, again, had the highest per capita income of the 50 states
at $54,397 in 2009. Mississippi ranked lowest at $30,103.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703409804575144033573666238.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories