NM, BernCo Economies Worst in Region

BernCo Job Growth Rate One of Worst in Nation

Just How bad are the economies of New Mexico and Bernalillo County compared to other states and large metro counties in the region?

They're dead last.

From the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017, New Mexico and Bernalillo County had the lowest job and average weekly wage growth rates in the region.

New Mexico's job growth rate was a measly 0.6 percent from quarter to quarter, while Bernalillo County's was even worse at 0.2 percent, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In terms of the job growth rate, Bernalillo County ranked 302 out of the nation's 347 largest counties.

The state and county did a little better on average weekly wage growth, but were still last in the region. Statewide, the average weekly wage grew by 2.5 percent. In Bernalillo County it jumped by 1.8 percent. Nationally it increased by 3.9 percent.

Those average weekly wages in the state and county are nothing to brag about. The state's average of $865 is 78 percent of the national average of $1,109 a week. Bernalillo county's average wage of $912 a week is 82 percent of the national average.

Here are some graphs to help explain it all: