COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Ohio was one of the 10 healthiest metropolitan economies in 2013, according to data released by the federal government.
The Columbus metro ranks No. 8 on the list of cities that saw the largest growth in economic output last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The agency says the area experienced 3.3 percent growth, nearly twice the national average of 1.7 percent.
There was more good news Tuesday, when the state released data showing that unemployment in the eight-county region in August dropped for the third straight month to 4.4 percent. That is the lowest level since May and comes after increases in May, June and July, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The figures on economic growth, published on Atlantic Media’s Citylab website, measured economic output as gross domestic product.
Houston and San Jose were the top two metro areas on the list, with their growth powered by the energy and high-tech industries. The website reported that the growing shale gas industry was behind growth in Ohio and West Virginia.
The top 51 metropolitan areas on the list account for two-thirds of the nation’s economic activity, according to the website’s report.
The statistics showed 173 metro areas had growth above the 1.7 percent national average but 23 percent saw their economic output decline.