US REGIONAL ECONOMY · Second quarter 2026
US real GDP increased in 44 of the 50 states in the second quarter of 2026. That is an 88% state-count share, not 88% of economic output. The published state growth rates are annualized: New York's +4.0% translates to approximately +0.99% over the quarter, while West Virginia's −2.3% translates to about −0.58%.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released these figures on 30 September 2026 at 08:30 Eastern Daylight Time. They describe April through June. Reading a regional report becomes easier when breadth, economic size and the time basis of growth are treated as separate dimensions.
First read the breadth of growth
A state-count summary answers how widespread a direction was. It does not answer how much each state contributed to national growth. A small state and a large state each contribute one cell. Giving every state the same visual weight is appropriate for this specific question, as long as the chart says so.
Then convert the growth-rate clock
| Geography | BEA annualized rate | Calculated quarterly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| New York | +4.0% | +0.99% |
| United States | +2.2% | +0.55% |
| West Virginia | −2.3% | −0.58% |
Quarterly equivalent (%) = [(1 + annualized rate ÷ 100)1/4 − 1] × 100
The inverse compounding calculation changes the expression of the rate; it does not change the observation. Applied to the rounded inputs above, it produces approximate equivalents. BEA separately reports the national quarterly change as 0.6% using its underlying data, so the 0.55% derived from its rounded 2.2% annual rate should not replace the official figure. See the release and its technical notes.
Why not divide an annualized rate by four?
Division by four gives a convenient approximation for small rates. It ignores compounding. For New York, that shortcut gives 1.00%, while the inverse-compounded result from the displayed input is about 0.9853%.
To check the conversion, apply the quarterly factor four times: (1 + 0.009853...) raised to the fourth power equals 1.04. This is a mathematical restatement of the reported annualized pace, not an assumption that the next four quarters will repeat it.
What does a state ranking leave out?
A growth-rate ranking measures speed rather than scale. A state with a lower percentage increase can add more output in absolute terms if its starting economy is much larger. To assess contributions, use the appropriate output levels and contribution tables rather than multiplying or averaging state percentages indiscriminately.
For a hypothetical illustration, an economy of 100 units growing by 4% adds 4 units, while one of 1,000 units growing by 2% adds 20. These simple fixed-price numbers only explain the scale issue. Actual chain-type GDP accounting requires more care, and chained-dollar components are generally not additive.
Can nominal income growth confirm real output growth?
The release also covers personal income, but current-dollar income and inflation-adjusted GDP measure different things. One concerns income received by residents; the other concerns production within a geography. Their units and economic boundaries should remain visible.
For a two-series comparison, label the income series as current dollars and the output series as real GDP. Do not interpret a higher nominal income growth rate as proof of stronger purchasing power without a suitable price adjustment. BEA defines the regional measures and their conventions.
What is the useful conclusion?
The report supports a broad-growth statement across states in Q2, with different growth rates across places. It does not make the national growth rate an equal-weighted state average, and an annualized rate does not describe twelve months of observed change. Keep the reference quarter, vintage, price basis and rate convention attached to any reused figure.
Sources, dates and reuse
BEA, GDP, industries and state estimates for Q2 2026, released 30 September 2026 at 08:30 EDT (12:30 UTC); definitions: regional statistical conventions. Observations: April–June 2026. Values refer to the September release, including its annual-update vintage. Source check: 9 October 2026, 01:57 UTC. All comparisons and graphics are original; chart values are repeated in text or tables. BEA states that its material is generally public domain unless otherwise identified; see BEA reuse guidance. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. No agency logo, external photograph or third-party chart is reproduced; no official endorsement is implied.
