Washington State Posts 4.5% Q1 GDP Growth, Leading U.S. States
Updated
Updated · KPQ · Jun 30
Washington State Posts 4.5% Q1 GDP Growth, Leading U.S. States
2 articles · Updated · KPQ · Jun 30
Summary
Washington state’s economy expanded at a 4.5% annualized rate in the first quarter of 2026, the fastest pace among all states and Washington, D.C.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis tied that gain mainly to Washington’s information sector, while saying broader state growth was supported by stronger investment and exports.
National GDP growth was revised up to 2.1% from 1.6%, leaving Washington’s pace at more than double the U.S. rate.
Forty-six states and Washington, D.C., posted GDP gains in the quarter; only Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota contracted, while Delaware was flat.
California, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada also beat the national average, as government and private forecasts point to about 3% U.S. growth for 2026.