Thread: 20 most economically stressed counties - 19 in California

AP Economic Stress Index
By The Associated Press
Posted 1/12/2011

20 most stressed, 20 least stressed counties

Here are the 20 most economically stressed counties with populations of at least 25,000 and their November 2010 Stress scores, according to The Associated Press Economic Stress Index:

1. Imperial County, Calif., 33.15
2. Yuma County, Ariz., 26.91
3. Lyon County, Nev., 26.75
4. Nye County, Nev., 25.21
5. Yuba County, Calif., 24.18
6. Merced County, Calif., 23.98
7. Sutter County, Calif., 23.65
8. San Joaquin County, Calif., 23.46
9. Clark County, Nev., 23.4
10. Lake County, Calif., 23.33
11. Stanislaus County, Calif., 23.06
12. San Benito County, Calif., 22
13. Flagler County, Fla., 21.46
14. Riverside County, Calif., 21.32
15. Hendry County, Fla., 21.18
16. Madera County, Calif., 20.89
17. Fresno County, Calif., 20.86
18. St. Lucie County, Fla., 20.79
19. Santa Cruz County, Ariz., 20.68
20. Osceola County, Fla., 20.65

Here are the 20 least economically stressed counties with populations of at least 25,000 and their November 2010 Stress scores, according to The Associated Press Economic Stress Index:

1. Ward County, N.D., 3.29
2. Sioux County, Iowa, 3.71
3. Buffalo County, Neb., 3.74
4. Brown County, S.D., 3.96
5. Brookings County, S.D., 3.98
6. Ellis County, Kan., 3.98
7. Burleigh County, N.D., 4.04
8. Grand Forks County, N.D., 4.06
9. Madison County, Neb., 4.31
10. Ford County, Kan., 4.38
11. Codington County, S.D., 4.4
12. Cass County, N.D., 4.42
13. Albany County, Wyo., 4.55
14. Arlington County, Va., 4.6
15. Lancaster County, Neb., 4.74
16. Morton County, N.D., 4.84
17. Lincoln County, S.D., 4.85
18. Platte County, Neb., 4.88
19. Adams County, Neb., 4.88
20. Lincoln County, Neb., 4.96
Source: AP Economic Stress Index

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money...ies-list_N.htm

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HuffingtonPost
Nathaniel Cahners Hindman

The Most (And Least) Economically Stressed Counties In The U.S. (PHOTOS)

The West Coast is the epicenter of economic stress in America and the struggling economy may be inflicting the least damage in the Midwest, according to a new ranking by the Associated Press.

Across America, economic stress fell month to month in July in about 54 percent of the nation's 3,141 counties, and in 24 of the 50 states, the AP's monthly Economic Stress Index shows.

But the average county's "stress score" in July remains unchanged from the previous month. About 42 percent of counties were found to be economically distressed, which was also unchanged from June.

"Stress eased in counties whose work forces lean toward areas like agriculture, mining, wholesale trade and finance. By contrast, counties with many employees in the retail and real estate industries suffered higher distress in July," according to analysis by AP.

Among the most stressed counties, concentrated in states like Nevada, California and Florida, county unemployment rates have soared as high as 30.3 percent, and foreclosure rates can exceed four times the national average.

The AP's index calculates a stress score for each county from 1 to 100 based on unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. A county is considered stressed if its score exceeds 11 (the current national average is 10.5.)

Below are the top five most economically stressed counties, and the five least economically stressed counties in America. (For the 20 most stressed and 20 least stressed counties click here and for an interactive map that shows statistics for all U.S. counties and states, click here.)

http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interacti ... ess_index/


Imperial County, California (Most Economically Stressed County)

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Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

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Governors from both parties plan painful cuts amid budget crises across the U.S.

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States that have relied heavily on real property tax are going to implode. California is one of those.

With real estate property taxes still increasing and property values decreasing, CRITICAL MASS was already reached over a year ago.

I'm surprised to see that L.A. County isn't one of the 20.

Glad to see that San Diego and Orange counties aren't on the list.

That makes the 3 most southern coastal counties NOT on th list.

Many of the counties on the list are central CA. farm communities, where people are out of farm jobs because the federal government cut the amount of water going to the farms and destroyed the areas.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

I'm surprised to see that L.A. County isn't one of the 20.

Glad to see that San Diego and Orange counties aren't on the list.

That makes the 3 most southern coastal counties NOT on th list.

Many of the counties on the list are central CA. farm communities, where people are out of farm jobs because the federal government cut the amount of water going to the farms and destroyed the areas.

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I don't know why L.A. County was not at the TOP of the list. It is bankrupt.

The farming-centric counties that had their water cut off was an incredible blunder by the fed. Talk about cutting your leg off!

The ripple effect of that is felt not only in California, but throughout the country. It also forces the US to rely more on Mexico for imported produce.

L.A.County: Brown budget would leave them with huge burden

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-227448.html

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Chart: Owing more than home is worth

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(Look at these numbers - California is in HUGE trouble!)