Real gross domestic product (GDP) saw varied changes across U.S. counties in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Out of 3,114 counties, GDP increased in 2,357 counties, decreased in 734 counties, and remained unchanged in 23 counties. The percent change ranged significantly from a high of 125.8% in Throckmorton County, TX, to a low of -39.6% in Lincoln County, WA.
GDP measures the value of final goods and services produced within a county. In 2023, GDP levels varied widely across the United States, from $17 million in Petroleum County, MT, to $802 billion in Los Angeles County, CA.
In large counties with populations over 500,000:
- Real GDP increased in 142 out of 147 counties.
- GDP figures ranged from $17.7 billion in Pasco County, FL, to $802 billion in Los Angeles County.
- San Mateo County, CA experienced the largest increase at 7.7%, driven by growth in the information industry.
- Nassau County, NY saw the largest decrease at -1%, primarily due to declines in finance and insurance.
In medium-sized counties with populations between 100,000 and 500,000:
- Real GDP rose in 428 out of 478 counties.
- GDP ranged from $2.5 billion in Liberty County, TX to $45.9 billion in Somerset County, NJ.
- Midland County, TX had the highest increase at 32.3%, led by mining industry growth.
- Elkhart County, IN faced the largest decrease at -9.3%, affected by durable-goods manufacturing.
In small counties with populations under 100,000:
- Real GDP grew in 1,787 out of 2,489 counties.
- GDP ranged from $17 million in Petroleum County to $11.6 billion in Reeves County.
- Throckmorton County had a significant increase at 125.8%, attributed to utilities industry expansion.
- Lincoln County recorded a decrease at -39.6%, impacted by agriculture-related industries.
Detailed statistics on metropolitan areas and industries are available on BEA’s website.
The estimates for 2023 include results from BEA’s annual update of GDP by county and metropolitan area released today. This update revises annual estimates from previous years using more complete data sources and aligns them with national economic accounts updates released earlier this year.
Starting December 3rd next year (2025), BEA will combine annual releases for GDP and personal income by county into one news release for a comprehensive view of local economies.
Additionally today marks the completion of BEA's comprehensive update of Regional Economic Accounts with quarterly state-level GDP statistics spanning from early 2005 through late 2018 now available.