Income & Saving

State personal income decreased 21.8 percent at an annual rate in the second quarter of 2021 after increasing 56.9 percent in the first quarter. In the second quarter of 2021, the decrease in transfer receipts was the leading contributor to personal income declines in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The percent change in personal income across all states ranged from –10.1 percent in the District of Columbia to –34.0 percent in West Virginia.

Personal income increased$225.9 billion, or 1.1 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased$42.2 billion, or 0.3 percent, in July. Compensation increased and new advance Child Tax Credit payments, authorized by the American Rescue Plan, began in July. In addition to presenting estimates for July 2021, these highlights provide comparisons to February 2020, the last month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. For more information, see Federal Recovery Programs and BEA Statistics.

Personal income for July 2021

Personal income increased $26.1 billion, or 0.1 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased $155.4 billion, or 1.0 percent, in June. Compensation increased in June while pandemic related assistance programs declined. In addition to presenting estimates for June 2021, these highlights provide comparisons to February 2020, the last month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. For more information, see Federal Recovery Programs and BEA Statistics.

Personal income decreased $414.3 billion, or 2.0 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased $2.9 billion, or less than 0.1 percent, in May. The decrease in personal income reflected declines in pandemic-related assistance programs. In addition to presenting estimates for May 2021, these highlights provide comparisons to February 2020, the last month before the onset of the COVID19 pandemic in the United States. For more information, see Federal Recovery Programs and BEA Statistics.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 6.4 percentin the first quarter of 2021, reflecting the continued economic recovery, reopening of establishments, and continued government response related to the COVID-19pandemic. The increase was the same rate as the “second” estimate released in May.

State personal income increased 59.7 percent at an annual rate in the first quarter of 2021 after decreasing 3.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. In the first quarter of 2021, the increase in transfer receipts was the leading contributor to personal income growth in all states and the District of Columbia. The percent change in personal income ranged from 89.3 percent in Mississippi to 31.1 percent in the District of Columbia.

Personal income decreased $3.21 trillion, or 13.1 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased $80.3 billion, or 0.5 percent, in April. Economic impact payments established by the American Rescue Plan Act, declined sharply in April. In addition to presenting estimates for April 2021, these highlights provide comparisons to February 2020, the last month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. For more information, see Federal Recovery Programs and BEA Statistics.

Personal income decreased $1,516.6 billion, or 7.1 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending decreased $149.0 billion, or 1.0 percent, in February. Economic impact payments associated with the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act of 2021 (which was enacted on December 27, 2020) declined sharply in February and unemployment benefits continued, but at a lower level. In addition to presenting estimates for February 2021, these highlights provide comparisons to February 2020, the last month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

State personal income increased 6.1 percent in 2020 after increasing 3.9 percent in 2019. In 2020, the increase in transfer receipts was the leading contributor to personal income growth in all states and the District of Columbia. The percent change in personal income across all states ranged from 8.4 percent in Arizona and Montana to 2.4 percent in Wyoming.

Personal income increased 10.0 percent (monthly rate) while consumer spending increased 2.4 percent in January as provisions of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act enacted on December 27, 2020, began to take effect.