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Navajo County, Arizona, with an annual GDP of approximately 3.4 billion dollars and a GDP per capita of 31,705 dollars, is experiencing economic challenges, reflected in a GDP growth rate of -0.5% over the last year and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.6% over the past 13 years. This contrasts sharply with Arizona's overall GDP growth rate of 3.2% and a per capita GDP of 66,318 dollars, indicating that Navajo County is lagging behind both state and national trends, where the U.S. GDP growth rate stands at 1.9% and per capita GDP is 77,754 dollars. The county's economy is heavily reliant on government contributions (29.2%) and services (63.2%), with a minimal goods-producing sector (7.6%), suggesting a need for diversification to stimulate growth and improve economic resilience.
Navajo County, AZ, exhibits a notably low employment rate of 54.2% for individuals aged 20-64, significantly below the state average of 72.5% and the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for high school graduates is particularly concerning at 47.6%, compared to Arizona's 66.9% and the national figure of 67.9%. While the employment rate for those with a bachelor's degree stands at 74%, it still lags behind the state and national averages of 82.2% and 84.3%, respectively. Additionally, the employment rate for Black residents in Navajo County is alarmingly low at 12.3%, indicating potential systemic barriers. Overall, these figures suggest that Navajo County faces significant economic challenges compared to other counties in Arizona, highlighting the need for targeted workforce development initiatives.
Navajo County, AZ, exhibits significant economic challenges compared to both state and national averages. With a mean household income of $50,335 and a median household income of $63,992, it falls below Arizona's state averages of $72,581 and $98,569, respectively. The county's income per capita of $22,826 is notably lower than the state’s $38,334 and the national average of $41,261, indicating a lower standard of living. Furthermore, 20.4% of households earn less than $20,000, which is the highest percentage among neighboring counties, highlighting a concerning level of poverty. In contrast, Maricopa County, a more urbanized area, boasts a mean household income of $80,675, underscoring the economic disparity within Arizona. The income inequality, reflected in a Gini index of 0.4536, suggests that while some households are doing well, a significant portion struggles financially.