BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota recorded the highest personal income growth among all states in 2013, earning the spot for the sixth time in the last seven years.
Statistics released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the state’s personal income grew 7.6 percent last year. Officials attributed the change to the growth of various business sectors, including the oil and gas industry, agriculture and construction.
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple said the statistics are evidence that the state’s efforts to create jobs and career opportunities are being fruitful.
“We are enjoying economic growth in all regions of the state and our income growth stems from nearly every business sector,” Dalrymple said.
The federal report shows that the state’s $57,084 average per-capita income in 2013 had more than doubled since 2000.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven on Tuesday said the state is “an economic bright spot in the nation.”
“We have worked hard to develop the right legal, tax and regulatory policies in our state, and these efforts - coupled with the ingenuity and outstanding work ethic of North Dakotans - has driven growth across all sectors of our economy,” the Republican senator said in a statement.
Nationally, average incomes grew, but at a slower rate than in 2012. The national average was 2.6 percent in 2013, down from 4.2 percent in 2012, according to the data.
Utah ranked behind North Dakota with a 4 percent growth. A decline in mining and other industries left West Virginia with a 1.5 percent growth, the slowest-growing personal income nationwide in 2013.
Nationwide, earnings grew in 2013 in every industry except civilian federal government, which fell $6.7 billion.
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