Special Report
US City Economies That Were Growing the Fastest Before the Pandemic
March 14, 2022 2:00 pm
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10. Raleigh-Cary, NC
> GDP growth, 2001-2020: 99.46%
> Real GDP, 2020: $83.46 billion – #40 largest
> Industry with largest growth, 2001-2020: Durable goods manufacturing (512.78%)
> Largest growth industry GDP, 2020: $7.25 billion (8.68% of metro GDP)
> Unemployment rate, 2019: 4.20% – #90 lowest
> Population, 2019: 1,332,311 – #43 of 383 metros
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9. College Station-Bryan, TX
> GDP growth, 2001-2020: 101.48%
> Real GDP, 2020: $14.19 billion – #161 largest
> Industry with largest growth, 2001-2020: Wholesale trade (776.68%)
> Largest growth industry GDP, 2020: $1.00 billion (7.03% of metro GDP)
> Unemployment rate, 2019: 4.17% – #82 lowest
> Population, 2019: 258,029 – #188 of 383 metros
24/7 Wall St.
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8. Sioux Falls, SD
> GDP growth, 2001-2020: 103.92%
> Real GDP, 2020: $18.07 billion – #138 largest
> Industry with largest growth, 2001-2020: Information (276.96%)
> Largest growth industry GDP, 2020: $0.90 billion (4.97% of metro GDP)
> Unemployment rate, 2019: 2.66% – #5 lowest
> Population, 2019: 259,348 – #187 of 383 metros
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7. St. George, UT
> GDP growth, 2001-2020: 137.48%
> Real GDP, 2020: $6.11 billion – #108 smallest
> Industry with largest growth, 2001-2020: Educational services (363.02%)
> Largest growth industry GDP, 2020: $0.04 billion (0.58% of metro GDP)
> Unemployment rate, 2019: 3.51% – #30 lowest
> Population, 2019: 165,811 – #256 of 383 metros
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6. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
> GDP growth, 2001-2020: 142.21%
> Real GDP, 2020: $148.88 billion – #23 largest
> Industry with largest growth, 2001-2020: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (459.98%)
> Largest growth industry GDP, 2020: $2.39 billion (1.60% of metro GDP)
> Unemployment rate, 2019: 4.18% – #84 lowest
> Population, 2019: 2,114,441 – #31 of 383 metros
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