BEA’s Personal Income by County and MSA dataset measures all income received by residents, including wages, proprietors’ earnings, dividends, interest, rents, and transfer payments. These data reveal patterns of household well-being, consumer demand, and regional affluence. The series provides consistent, comparable income statistics across counties and metropolitan areas.
On a data platform, personal-income data pair with CPI and RPP to calculate real purchasing power and affordability. Analysts use this statistical data to assess market potential, design fiscal policy, and target investments. Because it’s methodologically consistent and historically extensive, this dataset supports both macroeconomic analysis and localized decision-making for governments, financial institutions, and regional planners.