Mainers’ personal income rose 2.7 percent in 2017, the 31st fastest in the country and in the middle of the pack in New England.

According to Bureau of Economic Analysis figures released Thursday, personal income in the state rose from $58.7 billion in 2016 to $60.2 billion last year. That put Maine’s income growth in third place in New England, behind New Hampshire and Massachusetts but ahead of Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut.

Overall growth in personal income for the country was 3.1 percent for the year.

Personal income, the bureau said, means income, earnings from businesses and investments, and government transfers, such as Social Security and Medicaid.

Maine posted gains in all categories, with an increase of 2.8 percent in net earnings a little ahead of the other categories. Earnings in Maine were particularly strong in finance and insurance, which contributed 0.19 percentage points to the overall gain; construction, which contributed 0.18 percentage points; professional, scientific and technical services, which added 0.17 percentage points; and accommodation and food services, which also added 0.17 percentage points.

Durable goods manufacturing posted the only decline, a 0.1 percentage point drag on personal income, and several sectors were flat, including farming, mining, and administrative and waste management services.

Washington state posted the biggest growth in personal income for the year, 4.8 percent, and North Dakota was last, with a decline of 0.3 percent.

Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:

emurphy@pressherald.com


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