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Jackson County, Alabama, with an annual GDP of approximately 1.8 billion dollars and a GDP per capita of about 34,502 dollars, is experiencing economic challenges, evidenced by a negative growth rate of 2.4% over the past year and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.2% over the last 13 years. This contrasts sharply with Alabama's overall GDP growth rate of 1.7% and the national rate of 1.9%. The county's economy is heavily reliant on goods-producing sectors, contributing 40% to its GDP, which is significantly higher than the national average of 17.4%. Comparatively, Jackson County's GDP per capita is notably lower than that of more prosperous counties like Jefferson and Madison, which have per capita figures of 86,076 and 82,902 dollars, respectively. This indicates a need for economic revitalization strategies to enhance growth and improve living standards in Jackson County.
Jackson County, AL exhibits a notably lower employment rate for individuals aged 20-64 at 60.3%, significantly trailing behind both the state average of 68.7% and the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree (77.6%) is also below the state (82.6%) and national (84.3%) figures, indicating potential challenges in attracting or retaining highly educated workers. Furthermore, the employment rate for high school graduates (55.7%) is concerningly low compared to Alabama's average of 63.3%. The county's employment rates for Black individuals (40.1%) and females (52.1%) are also the lowest among the top counties in Alabama, highlighting significant disparities that may require targeted economic development strategies to improve workforce participation and inclusivity.
Jackson County, AL exhibits a mean household income of $46,748 and a median household income of $65,829, both significantly lower than the state averages of $59,609 and $82,992, respectively. The county's income per capita stands at $27,695, which is also below the state average of $33,344. Notably, 18.7% of households earn less than $20,000, indicating a higher level of economic distress compared to the state average of 16.6%. In comparison to other counties in Alabama, Jackson County ranks among the lower income regions, with only DeKalb County showing lower mean and median incomes. This economic landscape suggests challenges in attracting higher-paying jobs and may reflect broader regional economic issues that need addressing to improve overall prosperity.