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The Birmingham Business Journal
Shelby County is rated as best in the state for growth
Of all Alabama counties, Shelby County has the greatest potential for future growth. Demographics Daily has analyzed the growth potential of all 1,341 Southern Counties and independent cities, giving above-average grades to 339. All ratings were based on the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. South dominates The South holds every spot but one in the national top 10. Led by the Atlanta suburb of Forsyth County, Ga., which is first nationally with a growth potential score of 757. (The exception is Douglas County, Colo., a Denver suburb that is second overall.) Third through fifth places on the national list belong to Henry County, Ga.; Spotsylvania County, Va.; and Collin County, Texas. They are suburbs of Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Dallas, respectively. Birmingham/Jefferson County ranked at 1,798 among the 3,141 counties rated as growth areas, with a growth capacity rated at 51, significantly less than the 100 score that is the national average. Neighboring Shelby County, by comparison, was the highest in Alabama, with a rating of 334. In Jefferson County, total personal income grew from $16.7 billion in 1996 to $18 billion in 1998. The increase in the numbers of small businesses was less impressive: 17,003 in 1993 and 17,090 in 1998. DETAILS
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Mississippi
Tennessee How the study worked Demographics Daily assessed the prospects of all 3,141 counties and independent cities in America. Our 11-part formula focused on each county’s population growth since 1990, projected future growth, population density, per-capita income expansion and small business growth. The final rankings are designed to measure each county’s capacity for future growth and prosperity. The higher its score, the more likely a county is to do well in coming years. An index above 100 indicates that a county’s growth potential is above the national average, while a score below 100 is a sign of limited capacity. Texas tops in the South Texas has 59 counties with above-average scores (101 points or better) for growth potential, the largest array of any Southern state. Next are Georgia with 51 above-average counties, North Carolina with 44 and Florida with 37. Baker County, Ga., and Issaquena County, Miss., have scores of 11, the lowest growth potential indexes throughout the South. Complete details are available on Demographics Daily’s Web site at www.bizjournals.com/journals/demographics.
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