Headwaters Economics - Independent Nonpartisan Research

Independent Nonpartisan Research

Economy Surprisingly Dependent on Non-Labor Income

Non-labor income sources such as investments, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid often are the largest and fastest growing sources of personal income for many counties. Rural counties especially are surprisingly dependent on non-labor income.

Minority Populations Driving County Growth in the Rural West

Series: Rural West Insights

Minority populations are growing in nearly all rural western counties, helping booming communities expand and slowing the decline in counties that otherwise would have lost people.

Commercial Activities on National Forests

Updated: Headwaters Economics produced two interactive maps to show the range of commercial activities on National Forests at the Forest, state and forest region levels.