Download the full report: http://www.thrivehere.org/regionalmetrics
Thrive has issued the 2nd annual State of the Madison Region report. Our continued goal with the report is to foster regional dialogue on our shared future. This report is a long-term benchmarking tool to help policymakers, business leaders and our communities at large shape economic priorities.
Some highlights of the report include:
* A unique joining of economic indicators with quality of life indicators to monitor performance and motivate action in six areas across our eight-county region.
* At a Glance presents a quick look at trends and how we ranked against our five peer regions, all state capitals with major universities.
* The eight-county Madison Region showed steady employment growth from 2002 to 2008. A new section on Recent Industry Employment provides the most recent employment information through March 2009.
* The region has shown steady drops in unemployment in each county since June 2009. This is a regional unemployment rate of 7% in October, lower than the state, the Midwest, and nation.
* Productivity (return on investment from each dollar paid in wages/salaries) increased from 2006 to 2007 by $2.5 billion for the region.
* Per capita income increased by $2,000 from 2006 to 2007; in 2010, regional income will increase 1.3%, but not yet back to 2008 levels.
* Our region has the highest home ownership rate, lowest poverty rate, lowest crime rates, and some of the highest health insurance rates. However, both poverty and crime rates are on the increase for the region.
* More than 25% of school children are now eligible for the federal subsidized meal program.
* Almost 20% of 3rd graders are not reading at grade level.
* Long-term positive trends might help the eight county Madison Region weather this recession better than elsewhere.
Download the full report: http://www.thrivehere.org/regionalmetrics
