Over the nearly 10 years since the end of the Great Recession, economic news has been largely positive. Economic growth is heavily influenced by job growth, and the U.S. economy has added jobs for the last 100 consecutive months. The unemployment rate, too, has declined to levels not seen since the 1960s.
A rising tide does not necessarily raise all ships, however. While nationwide economic growth should come as welcome news to every American, many are not benefitting at the local level. In every state, there are counties that have reported slower economic growth or even shrinking GDPs.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed GDP growth from 2012 to 2015 by county and county equivalents to identify the fastest shrinking local economy in every state. Massachusetts and Hawaii are the only states in which no county reported falling GDP over that period — but even in those states, there are counties that reported slower growth than the comparable 7.3% national three-year increase. Meanwhile, states like North Dakota and Nebraska have counties that reported a more than 50% GDP decline.
Economic growth is most commonly driven by increased worker productivity or a growing population — or some combination of the two. In many of the counties on this list, a shrinking population undermined GDP growth as the majority of these counties had smaller populations in 2015 than they did in 2012.
A shrinking local economy can have real implications for area residents. In 18 of the counties on this list, median household income fell between 2012 and 2015.
Methodology
To identify the fastest shrinking local economy in every state, 24/7 Wall St. calculated the change in real GDP from 2012 to 2015 with data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. We used Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data for the same period to identify the fastest shrinking industry in each county. Annual unemployment rates also came from the BLS. Population data, including that used to calculate population changes, are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Click here to see the fastest shrinking local economies in every state.
Source: Wmwhite88 / Wikimedia Commons
1. Alabama: Lawrence County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -34.5% (county) +1.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $477.1 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.9% (county) 4.4% (state)
> Population: 33,288 (0.7% of state)
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Source: ilya_ktsn / Flickr
2. Alaska: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
> GDP change 2012-2015: -29.5% (census area) -7.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $223.0 million (0.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (1.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 18.3% (census area) 7.2% (state)
> Population: 5,453 (0.7% of state)
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Source: Oralleff / Getty Images
3. Arizona: Apache County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.2% (county) +4.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (0.7% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (2.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 10.4% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 71,602 (1.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
4. Arkansas: Little River County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -31.6% (county) +4.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $341.1 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Other services, except public administration (3.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.8% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 12,494 (0.4% of state)
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
5. California: Trinity County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -11.4% (county) +13.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $242.0 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (4.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.0% (county) 4.8% (state)
> Population: 13,037 (0.0% of state)
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Source: JeffGoulden / Getty Images
6. Colorado: San Juan County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -40.5% (county) +12.5% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $21.5 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (12.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.2% (county) 2.8% (state)
> Population: 569 (0.0% of state)
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Source: brandtbolding / Getty Images
7. Connecticut: Litchfield County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.6% (county) -0.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $6.2 billion (2.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (0.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 184,454 (5.1% of state)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / Wikimedia Commons
8. Delaware: New Castle County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -1.8% (county) +5.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $45.6 billion (69.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (0.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.5% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 555,036 (58.8% of state)
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
9. Florida: Franklin County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -20.3% (county) +8.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $297.9 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (5.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.6% (county) 4.2% (state)
> Population: 11,675 (0.1% of state)
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Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
10. Georgia: Baker County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -27.7% (county) +8.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $70.3 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (4.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 3,251 (0.0% of state)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Source: kenlund / Flickr
11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> GDP change 2012-2015: +3.5% (county) +4.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $6.8 billion (8.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.8% (county) 2.4% (state)
> Population: 196,325 (13.8% of state)
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Source: plant_diversity / Flickr
12. Idaho: Butte County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -22.7% (county) +9.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $750.8 million (1.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (5.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.0% (county) 3.2% (state)
> Population: 2,613 (0.2% of state)
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Source: roadgeek / Flickr
13. Illinois: Pope County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -24.6% (county) +2.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $49.3 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (8.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 6.2% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 4,360 (0.0% of state)
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Source: Calvin Beale / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
14. Indiana: Ohio County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -34.8% (county) +4.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $75.6 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (6.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.6% (county) 3.5% (state)
> Population: 5,911 (0.1% of state)
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
15. Iowa: Louisa County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -22.7% (county) +6.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $433.7 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (1.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.3% (county) 3.1% (state)
> Population: 11,238 (0.4% of state)
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Source: tuba / Flickr
16. Kansas: Marshall County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -23.1% (county) +3.2% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $476.6 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.8% (county) 3.6% (state)
> Population: 9,859 (0.3% of state)
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Source: brier5hill / Flickr
17. Kentucky: Leslie County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -35.4% (county) +2.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $133.1 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (9.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 10.1% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 10,648 (0.2% of state)
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Source: formulanone / Flickr
18. Louisiana: Red River Parish
> GDP change 2012-2015: -29.6% (parish) -0.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $243.0 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (3.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.2% (parish) 5.1% (state)
> Population: 8,723 (0.2% of state)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: rickberk / Getty Images
19. Maine: Franklin County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.0% (county) +1.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $884.4 million (1.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.0% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 30,177 (2.3% of state)
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Source: AppalachianViews / Getty Images
20. Maryland: Baltimore County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -8.9% (county) +2.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $46.2 billion (13.4% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (0.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.3% (county) 4.1% (state)
> Population: 828,637 (13.8% of state)
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Source: dpriddy / Flickr
21. Massachusetts: Hampshire County
> GDP change 2012-2015: +1.4% (county) +5.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $5.7 billion (1.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (1.3% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.4% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 161,197 (2.4% of state)
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Source: Lumigraphics / Getty Images
22. Michigan: Ionia County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.0% (county) +5.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.3 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.0% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 64,147 (0.6% of state)
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Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
23. Minnesota: Kandiyohi County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -16.5% (county) +5.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.0 billion (0.6% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (1.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.3% (county) 3.5% (state)
> Population: 42,577 (0.8% of state)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
24. Mississippi: Neshoba County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -18.0% (county) +0.1% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $776.0 million (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.1% (county) 5.1% (state)
> Population: 29,437 (1.0% of state)
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Source: Kbh3rd / Wikimedia Commons
25. Missouri: Linn County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -20.8% (county) +2.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $339.4 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Wholesale trade (2.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.9% (county) 3.8% (state)
> Population: 12,248 (0.2% of state)
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Source: ronkroetz / Flickr
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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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons
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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Source: pennuja / Flickr
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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Source: sparhawk4242 / Getty Images
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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Source: douglaspperkins / Flickr
31. New Mexico: Taos County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.6% (county) +3.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $767.6 million (0.8% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (1.2% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 7.9% (county) 6.2% (state)
> Population: 32,809 (1.6% of state)
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Source: rickberk / Getty Images
32. New York: Greene County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -11.3% (county) +3.6% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.8 billion (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 4.7% (state)
> Population: 47,791 (0.2% of state)
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Source: warrenlemay / Flickr
33. North Carolina: Person County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -24.0% (county) +6.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.4 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Manufacturing (2.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.7% (county) 4.6% (state)
> Population: 39,240 (0.4% of state)
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Source: afiler / Flickr
34. North Dakota: Slope County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -53.0% (county) +6.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $36.7 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (7.5% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 1.9% (county) 2.6% (state)
> Population: 674 (0.1% of state)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio: Logan County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -13.2% (county) +6.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.7 billion (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (1.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.1% (county) 5.0% (state)
> Population: 45,323 (0.4% of state)
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Source: barbarabrannon / Flickr
36. Oklahoma: Beaver County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -14.8% (county) +12.3% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $230.9 million (0.1% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (2.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 2.6% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 5,445 (0.1% of state)
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Source: Rex_Wholster / Getty Images
37. Oregon: Sherman County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -21.8% (county) +9.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $484.3 million (0.3% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (4.1% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.8% (county) 4.1% (state)
> Population: 1,635 (0.0% of state)
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Source: Alex Potemkin / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania: Carbon County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -7.9% (county) +5.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $1.6 billion (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Retail trade (1.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.6% (county) 4.9% (state)
> Population: 63,987 (0.5% of state)
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Source: jjbers / Flickr
39. Rhode Island: Kent County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -10.6% (county) +2.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $8.7 billion (16.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.1% (county) 4.5% (state)
> Population: 164,012 (15.5% of state)
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Source: Ryon Edwards / Flickr
40. South Carolina: Marion County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -9.2% (county) +7.9% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $403.0 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (4.7% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 7.4% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 31,765 (0.6% of state)
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Source: dasqfamily / Flickr
41. South Dakota: Kingsbury County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.3% (county) +4.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $226.7 million (0.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Construction (1.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.2% (county) 3.3% (state)
> Population: 5,000 (0.6% of state)
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Source: 144957155@N06 / Flickr
42. Tennessee: Stewart County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -19.0% (county) +6.0% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $563.6 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Educational services, and health care and social assistance (3.0% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 5.3% (county) 3.7% (state)
> Population: 13,248 (0.2% of state)
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Source: jerryhopman / Getty Images
43. Texas: Goliad County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -31.9% (county) +12.7% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $279.7 million (0.0% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Other services, except public administration (2.8% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 4.9% (county) 4.3% (state)
> Population: 7,510 (0.0% of state)
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
44. Utah: Kane County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -12.3% (county) +9.8% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $256.3 million (0.2% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (4.4% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.4% (county) 3.2% (state)
> Population: 7,246 (0.2% of state)
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Source: roadgeek / Flickr
45. Vermont: Windham County
> GDP change 2012-2015: -14.6% (county) -0.4% (state)
> 2015 county GDP: $2.1 billion (7.5% of state GDP)
> Fastest shrinking industry: Wholesale trade (0.6% employment decline)
> 2017 unemployment: 3.1% (county) 3.0% (state)
> Population: 43,332 (6.9% of state)
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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
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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
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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
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