2009 Per Capita Income for New York State

      The map attached shows data on per capita income. The lightest red displayed on the map represents the lower incomes in New York. As the color becomes bolder the higher the income per capita in each county is. The legend used goes from zero income, which is the light pink, then to $25,000 dollars and finally goes up to $110,000. There is a clear distinction between lower New York State and upstate. The highest earning county in New York State is New York with a per capita income of $105,554. The opposite end of the spectrum as far as income is found upstate in Allegany county which as a mere income, in comparison to New York county, of $25,701. The divide in income is clearly seen not only specifically by county but also by region. The counties located in central New York all have similar incomes while counties in the eastern portion of the state tend to have higher incomes. There are eleven counties that have an income in the $20,000 range, thirty nine counties have an income in the $30,000 range, seven counties in the $40,000 range, two counties in the $50,000 range, and one county each in the $60,000, $70,000, and $100,000 ranges. These incomes show a large scale spread and distribution of wealth across New York.
      The data shown on this map is not a surprising find for anyone who is familiar with New York and its economy. There is a low concentration of wealth in the north and west which is indicative of their economic status and population. Areas with a lower population tend to be more rural, bring in lower incomes, and have a higher unemployment rate. There is a large agricultural economy present in these areas which attributes to the problems of poverty. Farming has become an industry struggling to make money off its products. This type of pattern is typical of areas of lower income. Downstate New York tells a different story. The average per capita incomes are much higher along with the population. There is a clearly higher income in New York County then any other county in New York. This can be attributed to the high population, large working sector, and the fact that it is a world tourist destination. The areas outside New York County are suburbs that are home to people who work in the city and live outside. These suburbs tend to have a fairly affluent population who has larger income to spend in local area businesses. There is also a spike in income around Albany. This can be view as a spin off from the booming economic center that Albany has become. All these economic factors help distinguish New York and its economy. The data included in this map was compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis in April 2011 and prepared by the Department of Labor January 27, 2012.