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
North Carolina
Strengths
• Premier national innovation hub (Research Triangle Park) and major financial center (Charlotte)• Low corporate tax burden (#13) and strong manufacturing sector (#9)• Outstanding higher education institutions driving steady net population migration
Weaknesses
• Economic disparities between growing metros and struggling rural counties• Infrastructure strain and highway congestion around Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte• Skill mismatch challenges in rapidly evolving high-tech manufacturing sectors
Opportunities
• EV battery manufacturing, clean vehicle production, and biomanufacturing leadership• Clean energy expansion (solar, offshore wind) and life sciences growth• International trade expansion through upgraded port and rail infrastructure
Threats
• Hurricane exposure and coastal flooding risks• Intense national competition for corporate headquarters and high-tech talent• Rapid population influx straining housing affordability and school capacity
METRICS DEEPDIVE
Economic Scale & Vitality
GDP
Trade
Trade Overall Rank | Trade Surplus / Deficit | Exports in Millions USD | Total US Overall Exports 2026 YTD | Export % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
42 | -$28,228 | $30,390 | $1,639,475 | 1.85% |
Imports in Millions USD | Total US Overall Imports 2026 YTD | Import % |
|---|---|---|
$58,618 | $2,415,187 | 2.43% |