Department of Economics
  at Ithaca College

In January 1985 the Index of Economic Activity in Tompkins County registered 100.00. In March 2012 the Index reads 154.73. This means that the County economy has grown 54.73 percent in those 326 months.

From 1985 until 1989, the County economy grew at a rapid clip. The average annual growth rate was 6.3 percent.  The Index of Economic Activity reached a peak of 135.32 in March 1989. A recession brought the Index down to a level of 115.75 in March 1992. This 36 month slide was much longer and more severe than the national recession which lasted only 16 months. Since then, the County economy has recovered, but annual growth rates of 1.5 percent are more typical these days. The most recent recession started in March 2008 and ended in August 2009.

2011 registered a growth rate of 0.2 percent. Look for the County economy to grow by 1.0 percent in 2012. The all time high for the Index of Economic Activity is 160.61, its reading in March 2011.  

Maintained by Elia Kacapyr (kacapyr@ithaca.edu)
Last updated 04/26/2012