Today, I also had a GDP request for Washington County--the St. George Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).. So, I thought I'd share. Recently, BEA started making annual GDP estimates for MSAs. (Sorry, I couldn't resist the chance to put three acronyms in one sentence.) You'll notice that Washington County GDP estimates track very nicely with other economic indicators showing boom to bust to recovery. While my favorite economic indicator for local areas is still the year-to-year change in nonfarm jobs, gross domestic product further illuminates what has occurred in the economy in recent years.
Interestingly, Washington County's GDP in 2010 measured roughly equal to its pre-boom GDP in 2005. And when 2011 figures are available, the county should show GDP growth.
If you are interested in tracking GDP for Utah's other metropolitan statistical areas (or the state itself), click here.
