There are many data sets that can be used to evaluate the performance of the state and national economy. One of those metrics is Per Capita Real GDP. This measure is derived by dividing real output by the population.
For the period 1997 to 2012, Per Capita Real GDP for Colorado and the U.S. grew at essentially the same rate, 1.11% and 1.13% respectively.
Within that period there were some differences:
- Between 1997 and 2001 the Per Capita Real GDP for Colorado increased at an annualized rate of 3.88% compared to 2.49% for the U.S.
- Between 2001 and 2012 the Per Capita Real GDP for Colorado increased at an annualized rate of 0.13% compared to 0.64% for the U.S.
- Between 2009 and 2012 the Per Capita Real GDP for Colorado grew at an annualized rate of 0.58% compared to 1.39% for the U.S.
During the final years of the go-go 90s, Per Capita Real GDP for the state increased at a faster rate than the nation. Since the 2001 recession, the nation has outpaced the state.
©Copyright 2011 by CBER.