-
Sumter County, Alabama, presents a challenging economic landscape, with an annual GDP of approximately 383 million dollars and a GDP per capita of 31,402 dollars, significantly lower than the state average of 55,999 dollars and the national average of 77,754 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate has declined sharply by 4.2% over the last year, contrasting with Alabama's modest growth of 1.7% and the national rate of 1.9%. Sumter County's economy is heavily reliant on government contributions, which account for nearly 25% of its GDP, while goods-producing sectors contribute 27.3%. This reliance on government and the negative growth trend highlight economic vulnerabilities, especially when compared to more prosperous counties like Jefferson and Madison, which enjoy higher GDPs and growth rates.
Sumter County, AL, exhibits a notably low employment rate of 56.1% for individuals aged 20-64, significantly trailing behind the Alabama state average of 68.7% and the national average of 73.8%. However, the county shows a high employment rate of 91.1% for those with a Bachelor's degree, surpassing both state (82.6%) and national (84.3%) figures, indicating a strong return on higher education. The employment rate for high school graduates is concerningly low at 44.3%, which is well below the state (63.3%) and national (67.9%) averages. Additionally, the employment rate for Black residents in Sumter County is only 39%, highlighting potential disparities in job access. Overall, while educational attainment correlates positively with employment in Sumter County, the overall employment landscape remains challenging compared to both state and national benchmarks.
Sumter County, AL, exhibits significant economic challenges compared to both state and national averages. With a mean household income of $31,726 and a median household income of $49,122, it falls well below Alabama's state averages of $59,609 and $82,992, respectively. The county's income per capita of $19,720 is also notably lower than the state average of $33,344. Furthermore, a staggering 30.7% of households earn less than $20,000, which is the highest percentage among the counties listed, indicating a high level of economic distress. In contrast, counties like Madison and Shelby show much stronger economic indicators, highlighting the disparities within Alabama. The income inequality, as reflected by the Gini index of 0.4823, suggests that while some households may be doing well, a significant portion of the population is struggling, emphasizing the need for targeted economic development initiatives in Sumter County.