Convergence of Regional and State Rates of Growth of Income, Employment, and Population: 1969-2000

This study uses historic growth data for the periods 1969- 1978 and 1979-1988 and projections for the period 1988-2000 for income, employment, and population to address the issue of convergence or divergence. Regional trends are examined based upon the coefficient of variation and analysis of variance, while state trends are analyzed using regression methodology. The results indicate a general trend toward convergence of the growth rates during recent decades.