A look at the hardest hit counties, according to the AP Economic Stress Index

October 5th, 2009 The 20 most stressed countiesA list of the 20 most economically stressed counties with populations larger than 25,000 residents and their August 2009 score, according to The Associated Press Economic Stress Index: 1. Imperial County, Calif., 31.83 2.

October 5th, 2009 AP analysis: Signs of recovery in some US areasWASHINGTON — Signs of a slow and fitful recovery emerged in August in some communities across the country where unemployment dropped and foreclosures stabilized, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. The average county stress score fell slightly, and fewer counties qualified as economically distressed.

October 3rd, 2009 How AP measured the meltdown at the local levelThe Associated Press Economic Stress Index combines three economic indicators — unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcy — as a way of gauging how the recession has affected each of America's 3,141 counties. That measurement is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100.

September 7th, 2009 AP analysis: Auto industry gains boost some areasSigns of life in the auto industry and an easing of the housing crisis helped reduce unemployment and kept foreclosures flat in some of the nation's hardest-hit areas in July, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. The latest results of the AP's Economic Stress Index showed joblessness dipped in counties where temporarily closed auto-related plants resumed production in July.

August 3rd, 2009 AP analysis: Foreclosures stabilize in key statesEven as Americans suffer rising unemployment, foreclosure rates in three states hit hardest by the housing bust — California, Arizona and Florida — stabilized in June, offering hope that the worst of the real estate crisis is over, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. The latest results of AP's Economic Stress Index show foreclosure and bankruptcy rates held steady from May in some states.

July 6th, 2009 AP analysis: Economic stress up in much of nationCalifornia, Michigan and South Carolina suffered the most financial pain in May as unemployment, home foreclosures and bankruptcies rose, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. The latest results of the AP's Economic Stress Index show the worst financial crisis since the 1930s causing lingering damage even as other signs suggest the recession is winding down.

June 18th, 2009 SC jobseekers line up to clean nuke wasteBARNWELL, S.C. — Anthony Rivers was laid off from his maintenance job three weeks ago and is willing to do just about anything to rejoin the ranks of the employed in South Carolina — even if that means cleaning up nuclear waste.

June 8th, 2009 AP analysis shows recession's impact moderatingThe recession's grip loosened slightly this spring as seasonal hiring picked up and helped offset rising bankruptcies and foreclosures, according to the Associated Press' monthly analysis of the economic pain in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. The latest results of the AP's Economic Stress Index show the free fall that marked the autumn of 2008 and winter of 2009 gave way in April to a more controlled descent, possibly even a bottom.

June 8th, 2009 AP analysis: recession' grip eases in AprilThe economy's tailspin gave way to a more controlled descent in the spring, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. Still, troubles persist in California related to the housing bust and in the Midwest, pounded by manufacturing layoffs.

June 8th, 2009 AP Stress Index confirms easing of recessionThe recession's grip appears to be loosening as seasonal hiring picked up this spring. That's the conclusion of the Associated Press' monthly analysis of the economic pain in more than 3,100 U.S.

June 7th, 2009 Government jobs' recession shield at workAn AP analysis of economic data from around the country shows that economic pain in a county decreases as the percentage of government workers in its work force rises. Facts and figures about some of the counties around the country enjoying relative prosperity because of heavy concentrations of government jobs: Leon County, Fla.

June 3rd, 2009 Recession adds woes for struggling Pa. businessesThe recession is sapping the life out of many businesses, from a big-box electronic retail chain to dozens of mom-and-pop stores.

May 9th, 2009 Stocks rise on better-than-expected jobs dataNEW YORK — Stocks soared Friday as Wall Street cheered the positive news it had been hoping for: Job losses slowed in April and big banks don't need as much capital as some had feared. All the major indicators rose more than 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which jumped 165 points.

May 6th, 2009 BofA shares fall on reports of $34B shortfallNEW YORK — Bank of America stock is falling in premarket trading amid reports that it needs $34 billion in new capital. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are reporting regulators are telling the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank it needs about $34 billion in capital based on results of government "stress tests." Both reports cite anonymous sources.

May 5th, 2009 Stocks mixed after prior day's big gainsNEW YORK — Caution returned to Wall Street Tuesday ahead of results of the government's stress tests of banks. Stocks were narrowly mixed in early trading following a big advance Monday that sent one key Wall Street indicator, the Standard & Poor's 500 index, into positive territory for the year and the Dow Jones industrials up more than 200 points.