SUMMARY BACKGROUND

Summary description of the current economic development situation of the Southern Tier West region of New York State (Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties), comprised of the northern-most counties in the federally designated Appalachia region. The region’s economic situation is consistent with this designation.

Income

Historically, per capita personal income in the region’s counties has been uniformly lower than State and national per capita personal income levels. Adjusted (i.e., real dollar) per capita personal income continues to be around two-thirds to three quarters of the national rate.

Median household income has been decreasing. Average sectoral wage levels historically are lower than analogous average sectoral wage levels in other parts of the State. The region’s individual and family poverty rates are above State and national levels. The region also is experiencing relatively high public assistance and income assistance burdens.