NC incomes grow, lag national growth rate

Personal income is increasing in North Carolina.

According to new data from the Pew Charitable Trusts, personal income grew 2 percent over the past year. That growth is one of the fastest in the country, well ahead of the national average of 0.8 percent.

Going back to the start of the recession in 2007, North Carolina's annual income growth has averaged only 1.5 percent, less than the national average of 1.6 percent.  

The recent growth shows that while North Carolinians are making some gains, personal income in the Tar Heel State lags the national economy over the long term.  

The Pew Charitable Trusts also released new data on the employment rate. Both North Carolina and the national average were at 79.9 percent in 2007.

The national rate was 78.2 percent. In North Carolina, it was 77.1 percent.