Idaho Personal Income is Up

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A report by the Idaho Department of Labor shows total personal income in Idaho was up 3.9 percent in 2012 compared to the previous year.

New estimates show rising business profits were a major engine for the increase in personal income. The report issued Thursday shows business profits in 2012 were up 6.6 percent statewide from 2011. Wages in Idaho rose just 2.5 percent, compared to 4.3 percent nationally.

Agency officials say a pleasant surprise in the report is the performance of Idaho's rural counties. Figures show total personal income in Idaho's 33 rural counties at $18.5 billion, up 4.3 percent and slightly higher than the national average. By contrast, total personal income in the state's 11 urban counties hit $36.5 billion, up 3.7 percent from 2011 totals.