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Washington County, Alabama, has an annual GDP of approximately 1.07 billion dollars and a GDP per capita of 69,236 dollars, which is notably higher than the state average of 55,999 dollars. However, the county's GDP growth rate has declined by 0.6% over the last year, contrasting with Alabama's overall growth rate of 1.7%. A significant characteristic of Washington County's economy is its heavy reliance on goods-producing sectors, contributing 64.8% to its GDP, compared to Alabama's 22.2% and the national average of 17.4%. This focus on goods production may explain the county's slower growth, as it faces challenges typical of manufacturing-heavy economies. In comparison to other counties in Alabama, Washington County's GDP per capita is competitive, but its growth trajectory raises concerns about future economic vitality.
Washington County, AL exhibits a notably low employment rate of 58.3% for individuals aged 20-64, significantly trailing behind both the state average of 68.7% and the national average of 73.8%. This disparity highlights potential economic challenges within the county, particularly in attracting and retaining a workforce. While the employment rate for those with a Bachelor's degree (81.5%) is relatively strong, the overall employment rate for high school graduates is concerning at just 46.2%, indicating a gap in job opportunities for less-educated residents. Comparatively, counties like Jefferson and Madison show higher employment rates, suggesting that Washington County may need targeted economic development strategies to improve its labor market outcomes, especially for its Black and female populations, which are significantly underrepresented in the workforce.
Washington County, AL exhibits a mean household income of $51,184 and a median household income of $76,832, which are notably lower than the state averages of $59,609 and $82,992, respectively. The county's income per capita stands at $29,210, significantly trailing behind both state ($33,344) and national averages ($41,261). A concerning trend is the high percentage of households earning less than $20,000, at 25.3%, which is substantially higher than Alabama's 16.6% and the national figure of 12.1%. The income inequality, indicated by a Gini index of 0.4965, suggests a relatively high level of income disparity within the county. Compared to neighboring counties, Washington County's economic indicators reflect challenges that may require targeted economic development strategies to improve overall income levels and reduce poverty rates.