Going Green

Jeff Mellot's How 'Green' Is Our Valley? takes an interesting look at personal income in central valley communities. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis based on 105 "localities" (Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro are considered as one, for example) we find these interesting comparisons on per capita personal income in 2007, the most recent figures available (state rank):

• Virginia $41,727 (8th highest in the nation)
• Charlottesville/Albemarle $45,275 (8)
• Winchester/Frederick $34,417 (33)
• Staunton/W'boro/Augusta $31,161 (49)
• Shenandoah Co. $30,340 (53)
• Harrisonburg/Rockingham $28,589 (65)
• Page County $25,166 (89)

Apparently, impressions can sometimes be deceiving. For example, with all the hustle and bustle around Harrisonburg many would think that region would be higher than the surrounding areas. One explanation is that the large student populations at JMU, EMU, and Bridgewater pull down the averages. If that's the case, where would Charlottesville/Albemarle rank without UVA students in the mix?

If you are a numbers geek, you'll be in heaven checking out all the details about personal income at the Bureau of Economic Analysis' BEARFACTS.