Index of State Dynamism

The term economic dynamism refers to the rate and direction of change in an economy. It traditionally encompasses activities like the rate of new business formation, the frequency of labor market turnover, and the geographic mobility of the workforce. The U.S. economy has historically been one of the most dynamic in the world, and its dynamism has been tied to high rates of economic growth and unparalleled innovation. Troublingly, there are now signs that the U.S. is rapidly growing less dynamic—a trend that, if continued, could fundamentally redefine the economic landscape for future generations.

Why does this matter? Because dynamic economies tend to be more resilient in the face of disruption. They’re better positioned to innovate and thrive. And they’re likely to be richer in opportunity.

The Index of State Dynamism (ISD) combines seven economic indicators into a single measure of a state’s dynamism each year going back to 1992. Explore the data state by state and over time below.

2014