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Arkansas proponents of increased spending for K-12 public education, in 1971 and 1991, claimed tax increases would lead to income growth. In 1971, Arkansas ranked 49th in the U.S. in per capita personal income. Today, Arkansas barely ranks 48th.

Following are charts that show the 12 Southeast states by national per capita personal income rank for the years 1945, 1971, 1983 and 2001 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).

Three states in the region increased their national ranking by more than 10 postwar: North Carolina ranked 43rd in the U.S. (1945) and 32nd (2001); Georgia ranked 42nd (1945) in 25th (2001); and Virginia ranked 37th (1945) and 12th (2001).

The economic factors contributing to income growth are more complex then the proponents contend and will be discussed at length in future Policy Foundation research memos.

PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME, U.S. RANKING BY SOUTHEAST STATE 1945

United States $1,237

Florida $1,174 (#22 in U.S.)

Virginia $950 (#37 in U.S.)

Tennessee $912 (#39 in U.S.)

Louisiana $889 (#40 in U.S.)

West Virginia $888 (#41 in U.S.)

Georgia $879 (#42 in U.S.)

North Carolina $823 (#43 in U.S.)

Kentucky $803 (#44 in U.S.)

Alabama $784 (#45 in U.S.)

South Carolina $753 (#46 in U.S.)

(Note: There were only 48 states in 1945)

Arkansas $740 (#47 in U.S.)

Mississippi $629 (#48 in U.S.)

PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME, U.S. RANKING BY SOUTHEAST STATE 1971

United States $4,348

Florida $4,286 (#18 in U.S.)

Virginia $4,092 (#29)

Georgia $3,666 (#37)

North Carolina $3,510 (#41)

Tennessee $3,451 (#42)

Kentucky $3,391 (#44)

West Virginia $3,378 (#45)

Louisiana $3,328 (#46)

South Carolina $3,274 (#47)

Alabama $3,225 (#48)

Arkansas $3,096 (#49 in U.S.)

Mississippi $2,867 (#50)

PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME, U.S. RANKING BY SOUTHEAST STATE 1983

United States $12,554

Virginia $12,936 (#15 in U.S.)

Florida $12,637 (#17)

Louisiana $10,865 (#36)

Georgia $10,849 (#37)

North Carolina $10,480 (#39)

Tennessee $10,276 (#43)

Kentucky $9,859 (#45)

Alabama $9,783 (#46)

South Carolina $9,775 (#47)

West Virginia $9,626 (#48)

Arkansas $9,476 (#49 in U.S.)

Mississippi $8,615 (#50)

PER CAPITA PERSONAL INCOME, U.S. RANKING BY SOUTHEAST STATE 2001

United States $30,472

Virginia $32,431 (#12 in U.S.)

Florida $28,947 (#22)

Georgia $28,733 (#25)

North Carolina $27,514 (#32)

Tennessee $26,988 (#34)

Kentucky $24,923 (#40)

South Carolina $24,886 (#41)

Alabama $24,589 (#43)

Louisiana $24,535 (#44)

Arkansas $22,887 (#48 in U.S.)

West Virginia $22,881 (#49)

Mississippi $21,750 (#50)