Gross Domestic Product

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is widely considered the most comprehensive measure of total economic activity and tracks the market value of final goods and services produced within a given area.

 

Puplished on the web at incontext, www.incontext.indiana.edu/2008/january/6.html

Top 5 Indiana Metro GDP's

South Bend-Mishawaka and Elkhart-Goshen together are $20,567 (2nd highest in the state)

A better way to compare areas of differing size is to analyze GDP per capita
 

Elkhart-Goshen ranks second highest in the State, one of 3 in the State are that are higher than the national average. 

Average Annual Change in Real GDP, 2001 to 2005

Of all Indiana metros, though, Elkhart-Goshen is a true success story. Its 6.1 percent annual growth rate over this period ranks 28th nationally. This figure is more impressive considering that, with the exception of Ocean City, N.J., all higher-ranking metros are located in the generally high-growth Sun Belt or Pacific Northwest regions.

Average Annual Change in Real Manufacturing GDP and Manufacturing Employment, 2001 to 2005
 

Elkhart-Goshen ranks Number 1, and its next door neighbor, South Bend - Mishawaka ranks Number 2