Even as per capita income has increased across the United States, differences among states' incomes remain. What are the sources of these remaining differences? This Commentary identifies and analyzes the key factors--patents, educational attainment, and industry structure--that influence income-growth rates and thus per capita incomes. It also…

The manufacturing industry's areal and structural growth trends were analyzed for insights into their possible future role in Appalachia's economy. Between 1950 and 1960, total manufacturing employment expanded in large-, medium-, and small-center population areas, in rates inverse to center size. However, absolute gains in employment were…