Nationally, the top fifth of families have income that is 12.7 times higher than the bottom fifth. Other Indicators Most indicators of present and future state economic activity are trending up. Housing permits and new business starts, both indicators of future state economic growth, are up from the third quarter of 1996 to the third quarter of 1997. Housing permits during the period rose 10.9 percent, and new business starts were up 25.4 percent. In June of 1997, a 24.6 percent increase was recorded in state exports from the prior 12 month period.
Exports represent an important component in Connecticut's economic development strategy.