14 Core Economic Indicators National Ranking
Economic Scale & Vitality National Ranking
Innovation & Enterprise National Ranking
Human & Capital Living National Ranking
Structural & Policy National Ranking
STATE PERFORMANCE GAUGE CHARTS
US STATES ECONOMIC & INNOVATION COMPETITIVENESS
An executive-grade benchmarking index developed by theboardiQ LLC to evaluate and rank the macroeconomic strength, innovation capacity, and structural competitiveness of 50 States in the United States.
Designed for corporate board directors, institutional investors, and policymakers, the index synthesizes raw macroeconomic and institutional data into a standardized 0–100 Composite Score across 4 Strategic Macro Pillars and 14 Underlying Sub-Metrics.
The Executive Dashboard incorporates a boardroom governance matrix mapping strategic mandates, benchmark metrics, director compensation, and critical oversight inquiries across 9 Board Roles/Industry Lens
COMPETITIVENESS SWOT
Kentucky
Strengths
• Strategic central location for global freight logistics (UPS Worldport) and distribution• Strong manufacturing footprint (#13) anchored by automotive assembly and aerospace components• Iconic bourbon production, equine industry, and low cost of living (#22)
Weaknesses
• Low educational attainment rank (#45) and lower labor force participation (57.9%)• High poverty rates, persistent health disparities, and economic reliance on legacy sectors• Below-average disposable income per capita (#47) and low VC per capita ($33)
Opportunities
• Major battery belt investments, electric vehicle manufacturing, and supply chain expansion• Logistics sector growth and specialized industrial eco-tourism• Renewable energy adoption and metals manufacturing modernization
Threats
• Rapid transition away from traditional automotive components impacting legacy suppliers• Rising healthcare costs placing burden on state social budgets• Economic disruption from broader manufacturing automation
METRICS DEEPDIVE
Economic Scale & Vitality
GDP
Trade
Trade Overall Rank | Trade Surplus / Deficit | Exports in Millions USD | Total US Overall Exports 2026 YTD | Export % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
43 | -$43,593 | $36,435 | $1,639,475 | 2.22% |
Imports in Millions USD | Total US Overall Imports 2026 YTD | Import % |
|---|---|---|
$80,028 | $2,415,187 | 3.31% |