Personal incomes declined last year throughout most of the nation, with the exception of a few regions propped up by federal funding, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Monday.
Of the 52 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., personal incomes rose in only three -- Washington, D.C., San Antonio and Virginia Beach, Va -- where the biggest gains were among federal government and military workers.
Areas with a high number of housing and finance jobs, including Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, experienced some of the most drastic declines. And areas with plummeting housing prices and high unemployment like Nevada and Florida experienced some of the biggest year-over-year personal income drops, the WSJ noted.
Overall, personal income fell in 223 metropolitan areas, increased in 134, and remained unchanged in nine. In the majority of areas where personal income increased, the Commerce Department attributes a major portion of the rise to a jump in transfer receipts like unemployment benefits.
The following 12 metropolitan areas endured some of the nation's steepest personal income declines in 2009:
Cities Where Incomes Are Plummeting
Los Angeles, California: -3.8%
2008 Percent Change: +1.6%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 43
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $42,818
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $44,519
Los Angeles, California: -3.8%
2008 Percent Change: +1.6%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 43
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $42,818
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $44,519
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Miami, Florida: -3.9%
2008 Percent Change: +.1%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 55
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $41,352
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $43,031
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Minneapolis, Minnesota: -4%
2008 Percent Change: +1.7%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 25
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $45,750
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $47,653
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New Orleans, Louisiana: -4.5%
2008 Percent Change: -5.4%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 66
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $39,849
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $41,740
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New York, New York: -4.6%
2008 Percent Change: +1.9%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 9
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $52,375
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $54,914
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San Francisco, California: -4.6%
2008 Percent Change: -.1%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 2
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $59,696
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $62,598
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San Jose, California: -4.6%
2008 Percent Change: -.1%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 2
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $59,698
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $62,598
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Las Vegas, Nevada: -6.2%
2008 Percent Change: -.1%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 118
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $37,457
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $39,920
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Reno, Nevada: -6.3%
2008 Percent Change: -1%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 35
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $43,986
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $46,929
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Norwalk, Connecticut: -6.8%
2008 Percent Change: -.6%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 1
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $73,720
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $79,108
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Naples, Florida: -8%
2008 Percent Change: -2.6%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 3
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $57,548
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $62,559
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Midland, Texas: -8.4%
2008 Percent Change: +8.8%
Per Capita Personal Income National Rank: 13
2009 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $49,441
2008 Per Capita Personal Income (Dollars): $53,968
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