The new rankings place Wayne County at 39th overall, an improvement from its 2006 ranking of 47th.  This continues Wayne County's climb from a 2004 ranking of 140th place among 576 US micropolitan areas.

POLICOM specializes in studying the dynamics of local economies.The economic strength rankings study the characteristics of strong and weak economies. The highest ranked areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time. The lowest ranked areas have been in volatile decline for an extended period of time.

Once looked upon as quasi rural areas, a Micropolitan Statistical Area must have an urbanized area (city) with a population of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 population and comprise at least one county. Approximately 11% of the nation's population resides in micropolitan areas.

For more information on POLICOM and their economic strength rankings visit their website.