Economists, mapping specialists, evaluators, and data analysts in ARC’s Research and Evaluation Division regularly publish internal and commissioned reports and maps, and maintain an updated county-specific searchable data report tool. Research reports address critical socioeconomic issues impacting the Appalachian Region, while evaluations assess ARC’s own investment portfolios. ARC’s research and data is meant to help policymakers and our partners better understand Appalachia’s challenges and make more informed, effective decisions to address them. Published information also provides valid data for outside researchers studying the Region.
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ARC's Fiscal Year runs September 30 - October 1, and is named for the calendar year in which it closes. County Economic Status maps, investment data, and budget and performance documents are categorized by Fiscal Year.
Other ARC content, including research reports, evaluations and news updates, fall into the January 1- December 31 calendar year.
This map shows ARC’s economic classification of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region for FY 2025 (October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025). The Appalachian Regional Commission uses an index-based county economic classification system to identify and monitor the economic status of Appalachian counties. See the methodology for a description of each economic level. In fiscal year 2025, 77 counties…
Local Development Districts (LDDs) — also known as Area Development Districts (ADDs), Council of Governments (COGs), or Regional Planning and Development Commissions — are multi-county planning organizations facilitating community-based, regionally driven, economic development. There are 74 LDDs in the Appalachian Region. Guided by community leaders, elected officials, business representatives and others, ARC…
This map shows postsecondary schools such as colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical colleges that are located in the 423-county Appalachian Region. The map and database were compiled using the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Education Demographic and Geographic Estimates (EDGE)…