About 85 percent of all New England counties saw an increase in the number of business establishments from 1998 to 2003. Most of the counties with loss were located in Vermont and Connecticut.

Housing permits in New England increased from 57,872 in 2004 to 58,742 in 2005, with Rhode Island experiencing the greatest uptick. The map shows 2005 housing permits relative to population.

In 2000, 9 percent of New England’s population lived below the poverty level, and more than 5 percent of the region’s communities had poverty levels higher that 20 percent.

In New England, the greatest concentration of farms is often in the most urban counties.

With the term defined along both environmental and economic dimensions, brownfields redevelopment poses both opportunities and challenges to New England communities.

Seniors have particular needs that make finding appropriate and affordable rental housing difficult. With a surge in senior population expected over the next two decades, the housing situation will likely get worse. George Samuels describes how New England is faring.

Iris Lav and John Springer of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provide information to help groups concerned with low-income families understand how they might best participate in state policy debates.