Across the nine western states that comprise the twelfth Federal Reserve District there are 1,701 cities and 253 counties. California has the most cities with 478, followed by Washington (281), Utah (242), Oregon (242), Idaho (200), Alaska (148), Arizona (90), Nevada (19), and Hawaii (1). This large number of cities has a diverse economic structure. First, I will briefly review the economic health and vitality of the states in the region by examining the gross domestic product. Next, I will look at employment and income trends in the west. Finally, I will examine the current housing situation. Following the brief overview of the region’s economy I will explore the revenue structure of cities in the region.

This article is supporting documentation for the Alliance for Innovation Navigating the Fiscal Crisis White Paper.