Special Report

Fastest Shrinking Local Economies in Every State

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26. Montana: Silver Bow County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -26.4% (county) +6.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (4.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.9% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.2% (county) 4.0% (state)
> Population: 34,514 (3.4% of state)

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27. Nebraska: Wheeler County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -60.6% (county) +7.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $37.2 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (21.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.3% (county) 2.9% (state)
> Population: 846 (0.0% of state)

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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

28. Nevada: Eureka County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -38.5% (county) +5.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.2 billion (0.9% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (6.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 1,728 (0.1% of state)

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29. New Hampshire: Carroll County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -5.3% (county) +5.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.7 billion (2.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (2.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.6% (county) 2.7% (state)
> Population: 47,524 (3.6% of state)

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30. New Jersey: Cape May County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -6.8% (county) +2.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $4.4 billion (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 9.1% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 94,549 (1.1% of state)

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