Special Report

Fastest Shrinking Local Economies in Every State

Source: nataliemaynor / Flickr

46. Virginia: Surry County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -25.3% (county) +2.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.1 billion (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (2.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.5% (county) 3.8% (state)
> Population: 6,670 (0.1% of state)

See all stories featuring: Virginia

Source: JeffGoulden / Getty Images

47. Washington: Garfield County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -4.9% (county) +10.5% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $99.0 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (4.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.5% (county) 4.8% (state)
> Population: 2,226 (0.0% of state)

See all stories featuring: Washington

Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons

48. West Virginia: Clay County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -45.4% (county) +0.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $96.2 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (4.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 8.6% (county) 5.2% (state)
> Population: 8,901 (0.5% of state)

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

Source: royal_broil / Flickr

49. Wisconsin: Kewaunee County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -37.0% (county) +4.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $557.1 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 20,378 (0.4% of state)

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

Source: kenlund / Flickr

50. Wyoming: Natrona County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.6% (county) +3.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $5.7 billion (14.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 4.2% (state)
> Population: 81,023 (13.9% of state)

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.