Universities and hospitals are often discussed together as “anchor institutions,” but new research explores how they impact regional economies in distinct ways.
A recent update to the Anchor Economy Dashboard now offers a clearer view of how the eds and meds sectors shape local economies. The latest version includes more recent employment, income, and GDP data and, for the first time, separates hospitals and higher education institutions — allowing users to see and compare the economic impacts of each sector in their region.
Key insights:
- Hospitals are larger employers: They account for 70 percent of anchor-related employment nationally and generate more than half of anchor-related jobs in 90 percent of regions.
- Different growth trajectories: The median increase in hospital-related employment was 35 percent from 2004 to 2024 versus 19 percent for higher education across regions in the sample. One possible explanation for this is changes in local population size.
Examining regional anchor composition can help communities assess local economic opportunities and vulnerabilities. Read the research brief.
- See hospital and higher education employment, income, and GDP in your region.
- Compare your community to similar areas across the nation.
- Better understand long-term trends shaping your economy.