The nation’s economic stress fell to a two-year low in April, thanks to the strongest private-sector hiring in five years and a dip in bankruptcy filings, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis. Economic stress also fell in the Capital Region and statewide in Louisiana. The improved picture for jobs and bankruptcy filings offset a slight rise in foreclosures.
The easing of stress was felt most in Midwestern and mid-Atlantic states. But conditions brightened throughout the country: More than 90% of the nation’s 3,141 counties were better off in April than in March. The AP’s Stress index calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. A higher score signifies more economic stress. Under a rough rule of thumb, a county is considered stressed when its score exceeds 11. By that standard, about a quarter of the counties were stressed in April, down from about a third in March. East Baton Rouge’s economic stress was 8.77, down 0.61 from March. Ascension Parish experienced the least stress in the region, with an index of 8.23, down 0.5 from March. Livingston Parish was at 9.25, down 0.47 points from March. The average county’s stress score was 9.8, the lowest since April 2009’s score of 9.7. It was 10.5 in March and 11 in February. A year earlier, it was 10.5. Nevada had the highest level of stress in April with a score of 19.36. Next highest were California (15.57), Florida (14.17), Arizona (13.78) and Georgia (13.38). Louisiana came in at 8.96, down 0.59. To see the full interactive map, click here.
