An analysis of service sector growth effects on income inequality a comparison model of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of the Appalachia

It is very difficult to find regional economic restructuring studies that examine economic well-being by analyzing the effects of service sector growth on income inequality. This study is a regional economic restructuring analysis. Through the use of county level data of 399 Appalachian Counties this study produced a comparison model of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. The main goal of my thesis was to evaluate the growing economic differences in income potentials that have resulted in new spatial inequalities in the United States. By regressing income inequality (GINI INDEX) against service sector growth this study was able to support earlier studies addressing economic well-being differences that have been found to exist between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. This analysis concludes that non-metropolitan areas of the Appalachia are at a greater disadvantage in the service economy than that of metropolitan areas of the Appalachia.