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Key Findings
From 2010 to 2020, the Park Towns experienced stronger performances in five standard economic indicators than did the majority of New York State, the U.S. and Rural America.
A comparison from 2010 to 2020 shows that the 61 Adirondack Park Towns performed better in standard economic indicators than did many other towns, etc., across New York and counties across the U.S. and Rural America. In general, when compared with the country as a whole or other rural areas, the Park Towns fared well.
These comparisons show that in these years the 61 Park Towns had a higher growth in median household income and per capita income than did wide swaths of the U.S. and Rural America. The Park Towns also performed better than did the majority of New York towns.
The poverty rate of the Park Towns declined at −1.31%, which was in marked contrast to the increases of many other U.S. and rural counties.
Short-term employment rates showed a drop of the percent employed in the population 16 years or older of −4.2% in the Park Towns, likely an impact of the Great Recession starting in 2008. Despite the −4.2% drop, the Park Towns’ rate was in the top half of towns and counties across New York State, the U.S., and Rural America.
The Park Towns’ self-employment rate increased by −4.8%, a rate that exceeded that of vast areas across New York, the U.S. and Rural America. While more research is needed on the types and quality of these jobs, self-employment appears to be a strong positive trend line in the Adirondacks. ❑
Table 12: Comparison of Short-Term Economic Indicators Between the 61 Adirondack Park Towns and New York State, the U.S., and Rural America, 2010–2020
| Economic Trend | New York State Towns, Etc. | United States Counties | Rural America Counties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income Growth Rate | |||
| Areas with lower median household income growth than the +12.31% of the 61 Park Towns | 60% | 52% | 52% |
| Per Capita Income Growth Rate | |||
| Areas with a lower per capita income growth rate than the +21.52% of the 61 Park Towns | 68% | 76% | 75% |
| Poverty Rate Growth | |||
| Areas with a higher growth in the poverty rate than the −1.31% of the 61Park Towns | 60% | 42% | 42% |
| Employment Rate Growth | |||
| Areas with a lower growth in the employment rate than the −4.2% of the 61 Park Towns | 38% | 20% | 26% |
| Self-Employment Rate Growth | |||
| Areas with a lower growth in the self-employment rate than the −4.8% of the 61 Park Towns | 44% | 40% | 46% |