Jackson, MS

Overall rank: 11

The state capital's job market has remained relatively strong largely because of its government, hospitals, and educational institutions including Jackson State University. Employment in the Jackson metro peaked in the fourth quarter of 2007. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down 3.8% from the peak in the third quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 2.8% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.9%, up 1.5 points from a year earlier. (Please see below for the various criteria used by the Brookings Institution to determine the overall ranking.)

Job growth (since peak) rank: 19
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 41
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 1
Home price change (year over year) rank: 12

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