County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2025

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2025 (October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025). The Appalachian Regional Commission uses an index-based county economic classification system to identify and monitor the economic status of Appalachian counties. See the methodology for a description of each economic level. In fiscal year 2025, 77 counties…

• Economic Status

• Map

Health Care Costs and Access Disparities in Appalachia

This report describes the relative availability of health care resources, level of health insurance coverage and cost of providing health services in the Appalachian Region compared with the rest of the United States.

• Health

• Research Report

• Public Health
• Socioeconomic Analysis

Distressed Designation and County Economic Status Classification System

Source and Methodology Since 2007, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has used an index-based county economic classification system to identify and monitor the economic status of Appalachian counties. The system involves the creation of a national index of county economic status through a comparison of each county’s averages…

Classifying Economic Distress in Appalachian Counties

ARC’s vision is to ensure that Appalachia — a region of great opportunity — will achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. This means Appalachia’s economic indicators will become proportionate with the nation as a whole. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as economic transition in coal communities and…

Guide to ARC Project Performance Measures

This page will guide you through the process of developing performance measures for your proposed activity.

• Guides and Manuals
• Video

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2008

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 410 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2008 (October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008).

• Economic Status

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2024

This map shows ARC's economic classification of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2024 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024).

• Economic Status

• Map

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2023

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2023 (October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023).

• Economic Status

• Map

Entire Region

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2022

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2022 (October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022).

• Economic Status

• Map

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2021

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2021 (October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021).

• Economic Status

• Map

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2020

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2020 (October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020).

• Economic Status

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2019

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2019 (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019).

• Economic Status

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2018

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2018 (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018).

• Economic Status

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2017

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2017 (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017).

• Economic Status

County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2016

This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 420 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2016 (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016).

• Economic Status