Edtor's note
Allan Kauffman, former Mayor of Goshen (IN), can be proud of the progress of his city. In a wide-ranging conversation you’ll discover why Democrats and Republicans statewide hold this public servant in high esteem. Hear what His Honor has to say on Who Gets What via your usual podcast catcher or at mortonjohn.libsyn.com
This week, we move deeper in Indiana’s economy, down the GDP rabbit hole into the sectors of that economy.

Recall, we use the 2019 GDP, the sum of all the goods and services produced in Indiana, because 2020 and 2021 were impacted by the COVID pandemic. We think 2019 is more reliable picture of our Hoosier economy.

_How many economic sectors are in Indiana? You could say two: The private and the public sectors, if you’re thinking of ownership. Or two, goods and services, if you’re thinking about material substances vs. what people do more directly for you.

We’re dividing the economy into 21 sectors and accepting the ambiguity of those sector names.

_Isn’t manufacturing the biggest sector in Indiana? Yes, even when we divide it into durable and non-durable goods. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) defines durable goods as “Tangible products that can be stored or inventoried and that have an average life of at least three years.” BEA defines non-durable goods exactly the same, except having an average life of less than three years.

Durable manufacturing accounted for $58.3 billon (15.3%) of Indiana’s $381 billion total 2019 GDP. Non-durables were second at $40.9 billion (10.7%). Together, they’re 26% of Hoosier GDP, but separately they reflect many different production processes, logistical needs, and environmental challenges; that’s a discussion another time.

So health care’s next in 3rd place? No. Health care & social assistance services ranked 5th in Indiana’s GDP at $32.4 billion (8.5%).

Then government’s in 3rd place? Local, state, and federal governments together, including public colleges and universities, produced $36.5 billion (9.6% of our GDP) good enough for 4th place, but not for 3rd place.

That honor went to real estate, renting and leasing at $39.7 billion (10.4% of Indiana’s GDP). Renting and leasing are big businesses involving houses, apartments, offices, cars, tools, earth moving equipment, RVs, not to mention all those real estate agents eager to help you buy or sell your home.

Where’s the other 46% of GDP beyond those Big 5? Surprising to Hoosiers, Indiana’s agriculture, forestry, fishing (ranked 20th), plus mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (ranked 21st), all together accounted for $4.3 billion, 1.1% of our GDP. That’s about tied with arts, entertainment, and recreation (ranked 18th), also 1.1% of GDP.

Banking? Finance and insurance contributed 6% ($23 billion) to GDP to secure 6th place in Indiana.

Retail? That was $20.2 billion (5.3%) , taking 8th place, behind Wholesale trade ($22 billion), but leading Construction activities ($17 billion).

Transportation & warehousing? $13.4 billion or 3.5% in 11th place.

Then? Yes, Hanover, Wabash, DePauw, Notre Dame, and other private schools accounted for 1.1% ($4.1 billion) of GDP.

We’ll go further into Wonderland next week. Pack a lunch.
Morton J. Marcus is an economist formerly with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. His column appears in Indiana newspapers, and his views can be followed his podcast.

© 2024 Morton J. Marcus

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