Snapshot on the State of the Economy in NC (Updated)

Updated county-specific data on unemployment, poverty, wages and income, income inequality, health care, food stamps and the Living Income Standard is now available

US Census data released this fall revealed that between 2001 and 2008, the share of North Carolinians living in poverty increased, median income decreased, and the number without health insurance increased.  The bleak picture painted by the Census data understates the situation as the deep and prolonged recession continues to wreak havoc on working families throughout the state.  In 2009, North Carolina experienced record high unemployment and saw the number of individuals participating in the food and nutrition program increase by more than 25%. 

The following information provides an updated "snapshot" of poverty, employment, income, health coverage, and food stamp participation in North Carolina and the state's 100 counties.  The first fact sheets were last updated in November 2009.   

• To access a summary of county economic indicators for North Carolina’s 100 counties click here 
• To access a summary of statewide economic indicators click here 
• To access county-specific fact sheets with more detailed information click here* 

*Due to data limitations, counties with populations of 20,000 or less are not included in the county-specific fact sheets.  The primary data source for the fact sheets is the 2008 American Community Survey, which at this time does not include small population areas.  Counties with populations of 65,000 or more use the 2008 American Community Survey as a primary data source. Counties with populations between 20,000 and 65,000 use the 2006-2008 three year averages from the American Community Survey.  Counties with population of 20,000 or less are included in the summary document.

Contact Meg Gray Wiehe (meg@ncjustice.org 919-856-3192) for more information.