Slideshows

America’s 15 Most Recession-Resistant Cities

Paul Toscano@paul.toscano@ToscanoPaul
WATCH LIVE

Most Recession-Resistant Cities

Some cities have been hit much harder than others during the recession. Cities in California, Florida and Michigan, for instance, have been particularly hard hit, while others have seen their economy grow. In a recent Brookings Institution study, researchers gathered key economic statistics about the 100 largest US metro areas, including employment, home values and Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP). Among the surprising results - 38  metro areas recorded an increase in home values, even though th
Note: Changes in employment and GMP compare the peak period vs. Q1 2009, while unemployment rate and house price changes cover Q1 2008 to Q1 2009.Photo: Des Moines Guy

Some cities have been hit much harder than others during the recession. Cities in California, Florida and Michigan, for instance, have been particularly hard hit, while others have seen their economy grow.

In a recent Brookings Institution study, researchers gathered key economic statistics about the 100 largest US metro areas, including employment, home values and Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP). Among the surprising results — 38 metro areas recorded an increase in home values, even though the national average declined 6%.

So, what are America’s most recession-resistant cities? Click ahead to find out! 

By Paul Toscano
Posted 22 June 2009

15. Albuquerque, NM

Change in Employment: -1.6%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.6%Change in GMP: -1.6%Change In Housing Prices: -2.1%
Photo: Daniel Schwen

Change in Employment: -1.6%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Change in GMP: -1.6%
Change In Housing Prices: -2.1%

14. Washington, D.C.

Change in Employment: -0.6%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.7%Change in GMP: -0.1%Change In Housing Prices: -8.8%
Photo: AP

Change in Employment: -0.6%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Change in GMP: -0.1%
Change In Housing Prices: -8.8%

13. Des Moines, Iowa

Change in Employment: -1.3%Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.2%Change in GMP: -3.5%Change In Housing Prices: 0.1%
Photo: Tim Kiser

Change in Employment: -1.3%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
Change in GMP: -3.5%
Change In Housing Prices: 0.1%

12. Wichita, Kan.

Change in Employment: -0.5%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.7%Change in GMP: -4.4%Change In Housing Prices: 3.3%
Photo: Hugh Mason

Change in Employment: -0.5%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Change in GMP: -4.4%
Change In Housing Prices: 3.3%

11. El Paso, Texas 

Change in Employment: -0.7%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.5%Change in GMP: -1.0%Change In Housing Prices: -1.5%
Photo: Ppntori

Change in Employment: -0.7%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
Change in GMP: -1.0%
Change In Housing Prices: -1.5%

10. Omaha, Neb.

Change in Employment: -1.0%Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.5%Change in GMP: -2.2%Change In Housing Prices: 0.4%
Photo: Iulus Ascanius

Change in Employment: -1.0%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
Change in GMP: -2.2%
Change In Housing Prices: 0.4%

9. Tulsa, Okla.

Change in Employment: -0.6%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.9%Change in GMP: -1.7%Change In Housing Prices: 3.0%
Photo: Magnus Manske

Change in Employment: -0.6%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Change in GMP: -1.7%
Change In Housing Prices: 3.0%

8. Baton Rouge, La.

Change in Employment: -0.3%Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.5%Change in GMP: -2.3%Change In Housing Prices: 2.0%
Photo: Michael Maples

Change in Employment: -0.3%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
Change in GMP: -2.3%
Change In Housing Prices: 2.0%

7. McAllen, Texas

Change in Employment: -0.3%Change in Unemployment Rate: 3.1%Change in GMP: At PeakChange In Housing Prices: 2.3%
Photo: Jake73127

Change in Employment: -0.3%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Change in GMP: At Peak
Change In Housing Prices: 2.3%

6. Little Rock, Ark.

Change in Employment: -1.5%Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.4%Change in GMP: -2.2%Change In Housing Prices: 2.8%
Photo: Zereshk

Change in Employment: -1.5%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
Change in GMP: -2.2%
Change In Housing Prices: 2.8%

5. Dallas, Texas

Change in Employment: -1.0%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.6%Change in GMP: -0.4%Change In Housing Prices: 3.4%
Photo: fcn80

Change in Employment: -1.0%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
Change in GMP: -0.4%
Change In Housing Prices: 3.4%

4. Austin, Texas

Change in Employment: -0.5%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%Change in GMP: At PeakChange In Housing Prices: 2.4%
Photo: UTexas06

Change in Employment: -0.5%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
Change in GMP: At Peak
Change In Housing Prices: 2.4%

3. Houston, Texas

Change in Employment: -0.6%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%Change in GMP: -0.7%Change In Housing Prices: 4.7%
Photo: AP

Change in Employment: -0.6%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
Change in GMP: -0.7%
Change In Housing Prices: 4.7%

2. Oklahoma City, Okla. 

Change in Employment: -0.2%Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%Change in GMP: -0.5%*Change In Housing Prices: 2.8%
Photo: Daniel Mayer

Change in Employment: -0.2%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
Change in GMP: -0.5%*
Change In Housing Prices: 2.8%

1. San Antonio, Texas

Change in Employment: -0.4%Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.9%Change in GMP: -0.5%Change In Housing Prices: 2.6%
Photo: Kkinder

Change in Employment: -0.4%
Change in Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Change in GMP: -0.5%
Change In Housing Prices: 2.6%