Congratulations, citizens of Washington: You’re rich!
Well, you’re statistically rich.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday reported that average state personal income nationwide grew 1.0 percent the first quarter of 2016, the same increase recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Washington led all states in the first quarter with an increase of 1.5 percent.
Earnings, which are part of the income calculation, rose 1.1 percent nationwide and saw an increase of 2.1 percent in Washington — which grew “faster than any other state, largely due to stock grants in the information sector,” the bureau reported.
Growth in the health care industry helped spark a 1.7 percent earnings increase in Oregon, while farm earnings were a contributor to an above-average increase in Arkansas.
Nationwide, earnings grew in 22 of 24 industries from which data are collected, with declines noted in the mining and farming sectors and with leading advances recorded in health care, construction and personal services.
C.R. Roberts: 253-597-8535
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