Introduction
Berkshire County vs. Massachusetts
Berkshire County:
2021 GDP = $7,682,977K
2021 Percent of State = 1.20%
Massachusetts:
2021 GDP = $641,332,169K
2021 Percent of U.S. = 2.75%
Nationally, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is widely regarded as the foremost blue-chip barometer for tracking and calibrating the economic performance of the economy nationwide. Like its closely followed national counterpart, the GDP of Berkshire County is the most comprehensive measure of output of all goods and services produced by labor and property located within Berkshire County. It is a market valuation of the goods and services-both private and public-produced within a regional economy.
Unlike the widely and frequently reported employment and job numbers that measure labor as one of the units of input into production, GDP is a valuation of the output. Also, while County Personal Income is representative of the "purchasing power" of those that reside within a county, think of Gross Domestic Product as representative of the "producing power" of that county.
For a more detailed and technical explanation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by County compiled by the Regional Product Branch of Bureau of Economic Analysis please refer to the A Primer on Local Area Gross Domestic Product Methodology article found on the BEA website.

BEA: Definition

GDP by county is the county counterpart of the Nation's gross domestic product (GDP), the Bureau's featured and most comprehensive measure of U.S. economic activity. GDP by county is derived as the sum of the GDP originating in all the industries in a county.

The statistics of real GDP by county are prepared in chained (2012) dollars. Real GDP by county is an inflation-adjusted measure of each county's gross product that is based on national prices for the goods and services produced within that county. The statistics of real GDP by county and of quantity indexes with a base year of 2012 were derived by applying national chain-type price indexes to the current-dollar GDP-by-county values for the 64 detailed NAICS-based industries for 1997 forward.

The chain-type index formula that is used in the national accounts is then used to calculate the values of total real GDP by county and of real GDP by county at more aggregated industry levels. Real GDP by county may reflect a substantial volume of output that is sold to other counties and regions. To the extent that a county's output is produced and sold in national markets at relatively uniform prices (or sold locally at national prices), real GDP by state captures the differences across states that reflect the relative differences in the mix of goods and services that the counties produce. However, real GDP by county does not capture geographic differences in the prices of goods and services that are produced and sold locally.

United States. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Product Division.
BEA News Release (GDP by State). 2013. Web.
https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state.

BEA: Relation of GDP by county to U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

An industry's GDP by county, or its value added, in practice, is calculated as the sum of incomes earned by labor and capital and the costs incurred in the production of goods and services. That is, it includes the wages and salaries that workers earn, the income earned by individual or joint entrepreneurs as well as by corporations, and business taxes such as sales, property, and Federal excise taxes that count as a business expense.

GDP is calculated as the sum of what consumers, businesses, and government spend on final goods and services, plus investment and net foreign trade. In theory, incomes earned should equal what is spent, but due to different data sources, income earned, usually referred to as gross domestic income (GDI), does not always equal what is spent (GDP). The difference is referred to as the "statistical discrepancy."

Starting with the 2004 comprehensive revision, BEA's annual industry accounts and its GDP-by-county accounts allocate the statistical discrepancy across all private-sector industries. Therefore, the GDP-by-county statistics are now conceptually more similar to the GDP statistics in the national accounts than they had been in the past.

U.S. real GDP by county for the advance year, 2012, may differ from the Annual Industry Accounts' GDP by industry and, hence NIPA (National Income and Product Account) GDP, because of different sources and vintages of data used to estimate GDP by state and NIPA GDP. For the revised years of 2009-2011, U.S. GDP by county is nearly identical to GDP by industry except for small differences resulting from the GDP-by-county accounts' exclusion of overseas Federal military and civilian activity (because it cannot be attributed to a particular state). The GDP-by-industry statistics are identical to those from the 2012 annual revision of the NIPAs, released in July 2012. However, because of revisions since July 2012, GDP in the NIPAs may differ from U.S. GDP by county.

United States. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Product Division.
BEA News Release (GDP by State). 2013. Web.
https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state.

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Berkshire County Gross Domestic Product, 2002-2021
Current vs. Chained 2012 Dollars (Millions)
Berkshire County Gross Domestic Product, 2002-2021
Current vs. Chained 2012 Dollars (Millions)
Figure 1.
Figure 1 depicts Berkshire County's annual gross domestic product over 2002-2021 in current and constant (chained 2012) dollars. Constant dollar measurements remove the effects of inflation. They allow for comparison of changes in the real total good and services output of Berkshire County over time.
When measured in current dollars, Berkshire County's GDP increased 66.76%, from $4,607M in 2002 to $7,683M in 2021. When measured in constant 2012 dollars to adjust for inflation, it advanced 4.24%, from $5,933M in 2002 to $6,184M in 2021.
Page 3 of 13
Real Gross Domestic Product, 2001-2021 (Millions)
Real Gross Domestic Product, 2001-2021 (Millions)
Figure 2.
Figure 2 tracks Berkshire County's and Massachusetts' annual real gross domestic product for the period 2001-2021 to illustrate real gross domestic product patterns over time. During this 21-year period, Berkshire County's real gross domestic product rose from $5,778M in 2001 to $6,184M in 2021, for a net gain of $406M, or 7.03%. In comparison, Massachusetts' real GDP advanced from $362,664M in 2001 to $533,102M in 2021, for a net advance of $170,438M, or 47.00%.
Page 4 of 13
Real Gross Domestic Product Indices (2001=100): 2001-2021
Real Gross Domestic Product Indices (2001=100): 2001-2021
Figure 3.
Figure 3 portrays Berkshire County's real gross domestic product growth in a broader context by offering direct comparisons across time with Massachusetts, the United States. The growth indices shown here express each region's real gross domestic product in 2001 as a base figure of 100, and the real gross domestic products in later years as a percentage of the 2001 base figure. This method allows for more direct comparison of differences in real gross domestic product growth between regions that may differ vastly in size.
Berkshire County's overall real GDP growth was 7.03% over 2001-2021 trailed Massachusetts' increase of 47.00%, and fell below the United States' increase of 47.85%.
Page 5 of 13
Gross Domestic Product as a Percent of the Massachusetts Total: 2001-2021
Gross Domestic Product as a Percent of the Massachusetts Total: 2001-2021
Figure 4.
Another interesting and insightful way of comparing the gross domestic product growth of Berkshire County is to compare its individual percentage contributions to Massachusetts' statewide gross domestic product over time, as shown in Figure 4. A rising share means a region's gross domestic product grew faster, or declined less, than Massachusetts' gross domestic product, while a declining share shows it grew more slowly.
In 2001, Berkshire County's GDP totaled 1.48% of Massachusetts' GDP, while in 2021 it equated to 1.20% thereby yielding a -0.28% share-shift.
   
 
Gross Domestic Product Share-Shift
2021 vs. 2001
 
Share-
Shift*
 
2021
vs.
2001
-0.28%
=
1.20%
-
1.48%
 
   
Page 6 of 13
Berkshire County Real Gross Domestic Product:
Annual Percent Change, 2002-2021
Berkshire County Real Gross Domestic Product:
Annual Percent Change, 2002-2021
Figure 5.
Figure 5 shows the short-run pattern of Berkshire County's real gross domestic product growth by tracking the year-to-year percent change over 2002-2021. The average annual percent change for the entire 20-year period is also illustrated on this chart to provide a benchmark for gauging periods of relative high--and relative low--growth against the backdrop of the long-term average.
On average, Berkshire County's real GDP grew at an annual rate of 0.37% over 2002-2021. The county posted its highest growth in 2012 (4.36%) and posted its lowest growth in 2020 (-5.30%). In 2021, Berkshire County's real GDP grew by 3.80%
Page 7 of 13
Berkshire County Real Gross Domestic Product:
Annual Percent Change and Decade Averages Over 2002-2021
Berkshire County Real Gross Domestic Product:
Annual Percent Change and Decade Averages Over 2002-2021
Figure 6.
Figure 6 again traces the annual percent change in Berkshire County's real gross domestic product since 2002, but this time they are overlayed with average growth rates for the decade of the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020-2021.
During 2002-2009, Berkshire County's annual real GDP growth rate averaged 0.65%. It averaged 0.38% in the 2010s, -0.75% thus far this decade (2020-2021).
Page 8 of 13
Real Gross Domestic Product Growth:
Average Annual Percent Change by Decade
Real Gross Domestic Product Growth:
Average Annual Percent Change by Decade
Figure 7.
Figure 7 compares the decade average growth rates for Berkshire County noted in the previous graph with the corresponding decade averages for Massachusetts and the nation. As the chart reveals, Berkshire County's average annual real gross domestic product growth amounted to less than Massachusetts' average in the 2000s (0.65% vs. 1.47%), lagged Massachusetts' average during the 2010s (0.38% vs. 2.37%), and lagged Massachusetts' average over the 2 year period of the current decade, 2020-2021 (-0.75% vs. 1.93%).
Finally, relative to nationwide real gross domestic product growth trends, Berkshire County lagged the nation over the 2000s (0.65% vs. 1.77%), fell below the nation during the 2010s (0.38% vs. 2.25%), and recorded underneath the nation over 2020-2021 (-0.75% vs. 1.59%).
   
 
Real* Gross Domestic Product Growth:
Average Annual Percent Change
 
 
 
0.37
0.65
0.38
-0.75
3.80
 
1.96
1.47
2.37
1.93
6.62
 
1.99
1.77
2.25
1.59
5.95
 
   
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Interactive TableTip: To augment your analysis click on the column headers in the following table to rank and/or sort the data.

   
 
Berkshire County:
Gross Domestic Product, 2001-2021
 
2001
 
4,398,912
0.883
5,777,869
100.0
N
1.48
2002
 
4,607,105
0.907
5,932,716
102.7
2.68
1.53
2003
 
4,586,044
0.886
5,796,831
100.3
-2.29
1.47
2004
 
4,850,288
0.912
5,964,071
103.2
2.89
1.48
2005
 
5,140,182
0.936
6,124,349
106.0
2.69
1.50
2006
 
5,266,558
0.926
6,057,530
104.8
-1.09
1.47
2007
 
5,453,507
0.928
6,073,272
105.1
0.26
1.44
2008
 
5,749,979
0.956
6,256,008
108.3
3.01
1.47
2009
 
5,761,800
0.928
6,072,591
105.1
-2.93
1.48
2010
 
5,921,687
0.948
6,200,398
107.3
2.10
1.44
2011
 
6,098,818
0.958
6,268,010
108.5
1.09
1.43
2012
 
6,541,360
1.000
6,541,360
113.2
4.36
1.48
2013
 
6,703,091
1.001
6,550,820
113.4
0.14
1.48
2014
 
6,889,028
1.007
6,584,524
114.0
0.51
1.46
2015
 
7,130,907
1.011
6,610,332
114.4
0.39
1.43
2016
 
7,226,352
1.001
6,550,066
113.4
-0.91
1.40
2017
 
7,126,414
0.969
6,340,588
109.7
-3.20
1.34
2018
 
7,412,579
0.987
6,453,474
111.7
1.78
1.32
2019
 
7,398,523
0.962
6,291,201
108.9
-2.51
1.25
2020
 
7,167,517
0.911
5,957,780
103.1
-5.30
1.22
2021
 
7,682,977
0.945
6,184,325
107.0
3.80
1.20
Source: Calculations by the Massachusetts Regional Economic Analysis Project (MA-REAP)
with data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
November 2023
REAP_PI_CA1400_2000_PSN
 
   
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Interactive TableTip: To augment your analysis click on the column headers in the following table to rank and/or sort the data.

   
 
Massachusetts:
Gross Domestic Product, 2001-2021
 
2001
 
296,868,687
0.819
362,663,822
100.0
N
2.81
2002
 
301,836,397
0.819
362,581,603
100.0
-0.02
2.76
2003
 
311,188,581
0.833
369,007,385
101.7
1.77
2.72
2004
 
326,737,058
0.856
379,086,128
104.5
2.73
2.67
2005
 
341,993,151
0.873
386,803,453
106.7
2.04
2.62
2006
 
359,269,989
0.893
395,535,843
109.1
2.26
2.60
2007
 
378,519,094
0.918
406,421,172
112.1
2.75
2.62
2008
 
390,778,371
0.937
414,919,890
114.4
2.09
2.65
2009
 
390,504,837
0.919
407,219,554
112.3
-1.86
2.70
2010
 
411,136,078
0.961
425,792,732
117.4
4.56
2.73
2011
 
425,522,989
0.981
434,494,533
119.8
2.04
2.73
2012
 
442,916,912
1.000
442,916,912
122.1
1.94
2.72
2013
 
454,321,198
1.004
444,874,027
122.7
0.44
2.70
2014
 
470,468,539
1.020
451,568,915
124.5
1.50
2.68
2015
 
498,851,339
1.057
468,060,913
129.1
3.65
2.74
2016
 
514,637,566
1.073
475,349,007
131.1
1.56
2.75
2017
 
531,007,971
1.090
482,808,433
133.1
1.57
2.73
2018
 
563,054,311
1.132
501,541,470
138.3
3.88
2.74
2019
 
589,904,286
1.161
514,170,834
141.8
2.52
2.76
2020
 
585,150,291
1.129
500,000,964
137.9
-2.76
2.78
2021
 
641,332,169
1.204
533,102,052
147.0
6.62
2.75
Source: Calculations by the Massachusetts Regional Economic Analysis Project (MA-REAP)
with data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
November 2023
REAP_PI_CA1400_2000_PSN
 
   
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Interactive TableTip: To augment your analysis click on the column headers in the following table to rank and/or sort the data.

   
 
United States:
Gross Domestic Product, 2001-2021
 
2001
 
10,581,929,000
0.816
13,263,417,000
100.0
N
2002
 
10,929,108,000
0.830
13,488,357,000
101.7
1.70
2003
 
11,456,450,000
0.853
13,865,519,000
104.5
2.80
2004
 
12,217,196,000
0.886
14,399,696,000
108.6
3.85
2005
 
13,039,197,000
0.917
14,901,269,000
112.3
3.48
2006
 
13,815,583,000
0.942
15,315,943,000
115.5
2.78
2007
 
14,474,228,000
0.961
15,623,871,000
117.8
2.01
2008
 
14,769,862,000
0.962
15,642,962,000
117.9
0.12
2009
 
14,478,067,000
0.937
15,236,262,000
114.9
-2.60
2010
 
15,048,970,000
0.963
15,648,991,000
118.0
2.71
2011
 
15,599,731,000
0.978
15,891,534,000
119.8
1.55
2012
 
16,253,970,000
1.000
16,253,970,000
122.5
2.28
2013
 
16,843,196,000
1.018
16,553,348,000
124.8
1.84
2014
 
17,550,687,000
1.042
16,932,051,000
127.7
2.29
2015
 
18,206,023,000
1.070
17,390,295,000
131.1
2.71
2016
 
18,695,106,000
1.088
17,680,274,000
133.3
1.67
2017
 
19,477,337,000
1.112
18,076,651,000
136.3
2.24
2018
 
20,533,058,000
1.145
18,609,078,000
140.3
2.95
2019
 
21,380,976,000
1.171
19,036,052,000
143.5
2.29
2020
 
21,060,474,000
1.139
18,509,143,000
139.6
-2.77
2021
 
23,315,081,000
1.206
19,609,812,000
147.8
5.95
Source: Calculations by the Massachusetts Regional Economic Analysis Project (MA-REAP)
with data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
November 2023
REAP_PI_CA1400_2000_PN
 
   
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