Baton Rouge continued to make progress in 2016 towards a growing, more prosperous economy, yet the metro area continued to lag when it comes to income distribution and higher wages, according to the Brookings Institution 2018 Metro Monitor index.
The latest index, released in late February, charts the 2016 performance of the nation’s 100 largest metro areas across economic indicators in three categories: growth, prosperity and inclusion. Â
Baton Rouge ranks 26th overall in prosperity, with productivity and standard of living rising 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively. Average annual wages, however, declined 0.6%, offsetting the bright spots.
The metro area also saw gains in job growth (0.2%), gross metropolitan product (1.9%) and in the category of jobs at young firms (3.4%). Still, Baton Rouge has work to do in that area of growth, ranking 79th out of all metro areas.
Progress was less recognizable in the area of income distribution where the metro area ranks 87th. Median wages were flat in 2016 and there was a slight increase—0.1%—in the poverty rate.
There was considerable variation in how different metro areas fared in the goal of progress toward inclusive economic growth and prosperity in 2016.
Growth was widespread and metro areas extended its benefits to more people, the Washington, D.C-based institute notes. Sectors that drove this progress played varying roles depending on the measure and metro area. Construction, hospitality, and health care sectors contributed to growth but held back productivity.
