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Walker County, Alabama, has an annual GDP of approximately 2.11 billion dollars, with a GDP per capita of about 32,520 dollars. The county's GDP growth rate for the last year stands at 3.2%, a positive shift compared to its 13-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.8%, indicating a potential recovery trend. In comparison to the state of Alabama, which has a GDP per capita of 55,999 dollars and a growth rate of 1.7%, Walker County lags significantly in per capita income but shows a stronger recent growth rate. The county's economy is characterized by a notable goods-producing sector, contributing 23.8% to its GDP, which is higher than the state average of 22.2%. However, it still trails behind Jefferson County, which boasts a GDP per capita of 86,076 dollars, highlighting the economic disparities within Alabama.
Walker County, AL exhibits an employment rate of 63.8% for individuals aged 20-64, which is notably lower than the state average of 68.7% and significantly below the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree stands at 80.4%, slightly below Alabama's 82.6% but comparable to the national figure of 84.3%. Additionally, Walker County's high school graduate employment rate is 60%, which is lower than both the state (63.3%) and national (67.9%) averages. The county's employment rates for Black individuals (50.9%) and females (58.9%) also lag behind state averages of 52.5% and 64.3%, respectively. This data suggests that Walker County faces challenges in employment compared to both state and national levels, indicating potential areas for economic development and workforce improvement.
Walker County, AL exhibits a mean household income of $52,987 and a median household income of $68,336, which are notably lower than both the state averages of $59,609 and $82,992, respectively. This positions Walker County below many of its peers, such as Madison County, which boasts a mean income of $78,058. The income per capita in Walker County is $28,204, significantly trailing the state average of $33,344. Additionally, the county's income inequality, as indicated by a Gini index of 0.4543, is relatively moderate compared to the state average of 0.4797. With 18.7% of households earning less than $20,000, Walker County faces challenges in economic mobility, reflecting broader trends of income disparity within Alabama.