Alberta's per capita income grew 3.9% in 2011

Alberta's per capita income grew 3.9% in 2011 (Alberta Times) According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Economic Analysis, Arizona's per capita population in 2011...

Per capita income in Arizona increased by 3.9% in 2011 (Alberta Times) According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Economic Analysis, Arizona's per capita income in 2011 was $35,875, an increase of 3.9% from $34,539 in 2010, and an increase lower than the national average of 4.3%. While the numbers are less than ideal, economist Tom Rex of the Arizona College of Business is not pessimistic. He said the government calculates per capita income based on population. Arizona's population has grown over the past decade, Rex said. And the Employer Sanctions Act also plays a big role here. The law allows state judges to suspend or revoke the business license of any company found to be employing undocumented workers. Rex said the law has caused a loss of population in the state. Simply put, if the federation used lower population statistics, per capita income would be higher. Marshall West of the University of Arizona's Eller School of Management agrees with Rex about population numbers. He said he didn’t know the federal government’s estimate of $34,539 based on the state’s population. "Arizona has consistently lagged behind the national average per capita," West said. In fact, this situation has changed. For example, in 1986, the state's per capita income was 93.5% of the national average. Last year it fell to 86.1%, reaching its lowest point of 85.9%. Rex said Arizona's economy is typically cyclical and it won't suddenly become the nation's leader. Most people who like this state like its "sunshine" and are willing to accept slightly lower wages than elsewhere. West pointed out that on an annualized basis, annual personal income in the state increased by 5.9%. In addition, the "transfer income" category, such as unemployment insurance, social security benefits and disability benefits, fell by 1.4%.