Have Per Capita Incomes Stopped Converging in Missouri Counties

Abstract

Regional convergence of per capita incomes and per capita earnings inMissouri is studied for the period, 1980-2007, as well as for selected subperiods.Convergence as measured by the coefficient of variation in per capita income and percapita earnings has been modest at best from 1980 to 2007 in Missouri counties. Theevidence indicates that conditional â-convergence has likely ceased in Missouri countiessince 2000, and perhaps earlier. This is true whether per capital income or per capitaearnings is used as the measure of regional welfare. (O47, R11)