MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Mobile County’s economy has experienced substantial growth in both gross domestic product and employment numbers, according to the Mobile Chamber.

The organization reports that Mobile County’s real gross domestic product, or GDP, increased by $1.13 billion in 2023. That is a 5.14 percent growth rate that accounted for 17 percent of Alabama’s total real GDP growth, according to the latest economic data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

In a news release, the Mobile Chamber trumpets these key highlights from that report:

• Mobile County’s Real GDP in 2023 reached $23.19 billion, representing a significant growth of $1.13 billion, or 5.14%, from 2022.
• Mobile County contributed 17% of Alabama’s total Real GDP growth, second only to Madison County at 25%.
• In the past three years (December 2020 – December 2023), Mobile’s GDP grew by $2.56 billion, surpassing the total growth from the previous 14 years (December 2006 – December 2020), which amounted to $2.38 billion.
• Mobile’s economic growth outpaced both Alabama’s statewide growth rate of 2.85% and the national average of 2.89%.

Meanwhile, JobsEQ’s most recent job numbers show Mobile County had an employment count of 191,021 in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 4,059 jobs (2.1%) since Q3 of 2023 and the highest job count since the start of the Great Recession, the Mobile Chamber reports.

“This remarkable economic growth underscores Mobile’s position as a driving force in Alabama’s economy,” said Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne for the news release. “These achievements reflect the strength of Team Mobile’s partnership through Mobile County and the City of Mobile, and the resilience of industries and the local workforce.”

The news release touts that Mobile County’s growth highlights its rising prominence as a hub for innovation, manufacturing and logistics.

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