National Economic Research Firm Ranks Portland Economy 30th out of 363 Metro Areas

The independent economic research firm POLICOM, a specialist in analyzing local and state economies, has released its economic 2008 rankings of 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The highest ranked areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time. The lowest ranked areas have been in volatile decline for an extended period of time.

There are now 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the United States Among the 3,142 counties in the United States, 1,092 are included in the 363 areas. Approximately 82% of the nation’s population reside in MSAs.

Oregon and Washington MSAs ranked in the top 100:

11th - Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

30th - Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA

46th - Bend, OR

86th - Medford, OR

98th - Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA

The Nation's Top 10 Healthiest Economies, as ranked by Policom:

1. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
3. San diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN
5. Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA
6. Phoehix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
7. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
8. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
9. Salt Lake City, UT
10. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV