This morning the BEA released estimates for state GDP for 2012, along with revisions to the 2009-2011 figures. The following takes a quick look at the latest figures and growth so far in recovery.
In 2012, Oregon’s real GDP grew 3.9% which ranks 3rd strongest in the country behind North Dakota (13.4%) and Texas (4.8%) and ahead of the U.S. overall (2.5%). Oregon’s economy, which is more volatile than the average state, has consistently grown faster than the nation in good times and performed worse in bad times. With the most recent economic expansion beginning in 2009, even as lackluster as it has been, the state has outperformed the average state each of the past 3 years with relative rankings of all states of 4th, 4th and 3rd strongest.
In terms of which industry or industries are driving the growth, it really has to do with our strong manufacturing sector. Not only does Oregon have a larger manufacturing sector, relative to the economy, it is also highly productive, particularly our computer and electronic manufacturing industry. With the rebound in electronics in recent years (even if PC sales are slipping) and both the first phase and second phase of the Intel expansion in Hillsboro, it is no surprise to see the industry driving growth in the state. According to the BEA release, Oregon’s durable goods manufacturing accounted for 2.9% of the 3.9% growth in 2012.
Overall across the country, manufacturing tended to lead real GDP growth with durable goods leading 22 individual states and 7 out of the 8 BEA regions. Financial Activites – particularly the finance and insurance portions – also was a strong contributor across the country. Finally, as can be seen in the relative rankings below, mining was a large contributor to a few states even if not to the nation as a whole. In North Dakota, according to the BEA, mining directly accounted for 3.3% of the 13.4% growth.
The last graph illustrates real GDP growth in expansion for all states.
Based on a media request, I am also pulling together a bit more on manufacturing and will post a follow-up shortly.
Oregon Office of Economic Analysis 
[…] up on the previous overview of the latest state GDP release, the following provides a look into the manufacturing sector. One question commonly asked is […]
By: Manufacturing Employment and Output | Oregon Office of Economic Analysis on June 6, 2013
at 10:48 AM
Reblogged this on Myaz_Nuggetz.
By: Myaz_Nuggetz on June 6, 2013
at 11:59 AM
So why are there fewer good jobs, declining pay, and ridiculously high unemployment? If this is success I don’t want to see more failures!
By: Petros on June 6, 2013
at 2:20 PM
[…] relatively stable as a share of the state’s jobs at 5-5.5% over the past decade. In terms of state GDP, the industry has a much larger footprint and really drives the state’s value-added […]
By: Oregon’s High-Tech Industry | Oregon Office of Economic Analysis on September 6, 2013
at 8:41 AM
[…] it can be difficult to discern an impact due to the higher minimum wages. Oregon consistently ranks well in terms of state GDP and Washington is generally in the Top 20 too. On the employment front, from 2000 through 2013 […]
By: Portland City Club: Inequality and Minimum Wage | Oregon Office of Economic Analysis on March 7, 2014
at 11:14 AM