Fairfield-Vallejo SMSA, ranked 17th last year among the 200 best-performing large urban areas in the U.S

Article Last Updated: Tuesday, Nov 23, 2004 - 09:18:31 am PST


Salary growth drops in Fairfield area

By Matthew Bunk

FAIRFIELD - Job and salary growth in the Fairfield-Vallejo corridor has fallen off a bit during the past year compared to other large cities across America, according to a study by an independent economic think tank.

Fairfield-Vallejo, which ranked 17th last year among the 200 best-performing large urban areas in the U.S., fell six spots to No. 23 in 2004, according to the annual study by the Milken Institute.

Although the Fairfield-Vallejo area ranked among the top-10 for job and salary growth over the past five years, statistics based on growth over one year show lagging progress in both categories.

Sixth in 5-year wages growth and eighth in 5-year jobs growth, the area falls to 72nd and 49th in the same categories when considering progress during the past year.

Many of the top-performing California areas fell lower this year, as Florida claimed five of the top 10 rankings. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla., was No. 1 for the second straight year.

Fairfield-Vallejo was outperformed by three California areas - Sacramento, 22nd; San Diego, 15th; and Riverside-San Bernadino, 8th.

It beat out places such as Merced, 25th; Ventura, 30th; and Lodi-Stockton, 40th.