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U.S. GDP grew 2.5% in 2010. Some U.S. cities had growth rates more than double that of the national rate .
Unfortunately, 61 of the 366 metropolitan areas posted negative rates, according to a report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis .
We ranked the 15 cities that posted the worst GDP declines in 2010 and we highlighted how growth has trended since 2008.
Stockton and Vallejo-Fairfield , which have some of the worst foreclosure rates in the country, made the list.
Note: GDP figures are for 2010. Population figures are based on 2009 US Census estimates.
#15 St. George, Utah
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -1.6%
Real GDP: $2.97 billion
Population: 137,473
St. George's GDP declined 4.1% year-over-year in 2008 and fell 7% in 2009 with finance and construction being the weakest industries.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#14 Yakima, Washington
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -1.8%
Real GDP: $6.5 billion
Population: 239,054
The natural resources and mining industry is really lagging in Yakima . After growing modestly in 2008, GDP declined 0.5% in 2009.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#13 Yuba City, California
Google maps
Change 2009 - 2010: -1.8%
Real GDP: $4.2 billion
Population: 165,539
Yuba City's GDP grew 2.8% in 2008, eased to 1.3% in 2009 , and went negative last year. The financial as well as natural resources and mining industries are lagging.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#12 Las Vegas-Paradise, Nevada
Change 2009 - 2010: -1.9%
Real GDP: $80.3 billion
Population: 1.9 million
After falling 4% in 2008 and 7.9% in 2009 , the rate of decline is decelerating in Las Vegas-Paradise. Weak construction has weighed heavily on the metro area.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#11 Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -2%
Real GDP: $4.8 billion
Population: 119,534
After growing 7.6% in 2009 , Mount Vernon-Anacortes GDP declined last year. Non-durable goods manufacturing has been lagging.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#10 Lake Charles, Louisiana
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -2.1%
Real GDP: $9.98 billion
Population: 194,138
Lake Charles saw three straight year of GDP decline falling 5.8% in 2008 and 3.2% in 2009. Construction and finance have been lagging.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#9 Brunswick, Georgia
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -2.4%
Real GDP: $2.8 billion
Population: 103,841
Brunswick has posted negative GDP rates since 2008. GDP fell a whopping 5.9% in 2009 .
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#8 Stockton, California
Zillow
Change 2009 - 2010: -2.5%
Real GDP: $17.1 billion
Population: 674,860
Stockton's GDP rate has declined consistently since 2008. Financial services and the public sector have weighed on growth in the area.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#7 Pascagoula, Mississippi
Change 2009 - 2010: -2.8%
Real GDP: $6.9 billion
Population: 155,603
In 2008, Pascagula was grew a colossal 23.7% and moderated to 8.2% in 2009. However, the hot economy quickly turned cold.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#6 Napa, California
Google maps
Change 2009 - 2010: -3%
Real GDP: $6.15 billion
Population: 134,650
Napa's economy has contracted consistently since 2008, falling 3.8% in 2009 . Manufacturing is dragging on the metro's GDP growth.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#5 Grand Junction, Colorado
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -3.3%
Real GDP: $4.2 billion
Population: 146,093
Grand Junction posted an impressive 8.4% GDP growth rate in 2008, but plummeted -6.3% in 2009 . However, the decline is showing signs of slowing. Construction in the metro has been hit hard.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#4 Sebastian-Vero Beach, Florida
Google maps
Change 2009 - 2010: -3.6%
Real GDP: $3.7 billion
Population: 135,167
Sebastian-Vero's economy continues to struggle. GDP growth declined -3.5% in 2008, followed by an even steeper -6% decline in 2009.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#3 Casper, Wyoming
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -3.8%
Real GDP: $6.7 billion
Population: 74,508
After posting an incredible growth rates of 15% in 2008 and 12.8% in 2009 , the economy turned cold off last year.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#2 Farmington, New Mexico
Wikimedia Commons
Change 2009 - 2010: -3.8%
Real GDP: $4.8 billion
Population: 124,131
Growth in Farmington had dropped 6.1% in 2008. GDP rose 3.6% in 2009, but was wiped out by last year's slowdown.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
#1 Vallejo-Fairfield, California
flickr
Change 2009 - 2010: -3.8%
Real GDP: $12.2 billion
Population: 407,234
The Vallejo-Fairfield metro area fell 1.1% in 2009. The decline seems to be accelerating . The manufacturing industry, especially that of non-durable goods, has been lagging.
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis / U.S. Census Bureau
