Appalachian Regional Commission releases its 15th edition of “The Chartbook”
The 201-page document contains more than 300,000 data points comparing Appalachia’s regional, subregional, and state data with the rest of the nation.
New data released last week by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in the 15th annual update of The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2019-2023 American Community Survey shows that rates of labor force participation and homeownership continue to improve in Appalachia.
Drawing from the latest American Community Survey and comparable 2023 Census Population Estimates, ARC’s report, known as “The Chartbook,” contains more than 300,000 data points comparing Appalachia’s regional, subregional, and state data with the rest of the nation.
Key improvements in the region’s economic indicators are as follows:
- A decrease in unemployment rates and higher labor force participation;
- Homeownership that bypassed the national average; and
- A below-average number of cost-burdened households.
“While Appalachia continues to make progress toward reaching economic parity with the rest of the country, it’s important to recognize there is still work to be done,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “ARC will continue to partner on the local, state, and federal levels to prioritize the future of Appalachia’s 13 states and remains committed to ensuring Appalachians have access to the education, job training, and infrastructure they need for prosperous lives in the places they love.”
Despite positive trends, several data points revealed key challenges affecting Appalachian economies compared to the rest of the nation:
- Despite population increase, growth lags the nation as a whole;
- Post-secondary educational attainment remains behind the national average; and
- Greater share of Appalachians live in poverty.
The data also highlights key differences between Appalachia’s subregions, including:
- Northern Appalachia has the highest share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or more in the science and engineering field at 32.4 percent.
- North Central Appalachia has the highest share of veterans among the subregions.
- Central Appalachia saw an increase in digital device ownership and internet access, although broadband access remains a challenge.
- South Central Appalachia experienced one of the most significant decreases in cost-burdened households compared to other subregions.
- Southern Appalachia has the highest mean and median incomes—and income per capita is increasing more than in the other subregions.
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