Maine's personal income per person has lagged the average of all New England States and the national average.  Since 1980, Maine has lagged even further behind New England, moving from 79% to 74%.  However, it has closed the gap nationally, increasing from 83% to 90% of the national average.

The national and New England averages were very close until the 1980's when the region's economy leaped ahead and has remained at a significantly higher level.

While the national per capita income has been relatively flat in constant 1929 dollars from 2000-2003, Maine's real personal income has continued to increase, thus closing the gap.

Sources: 

"Regional Economic Accounts."  Bureau of Economic Analysis. U.S. Department of Commerce. http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/regional/reis/ (November 26, 2003).
"Inflation Calculator." Bureau of Labor Statistics. US Department of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/cpi/ (November 26, 2003)
(Other Consumer Price Index calculators return somewhat different values.)

 Personal per Capita Income in Current Dollars - Selected Years

Area name	1929	1930	1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990	2000	2001	2002
United States	700	620	595	1,510	2,276	4,095	10,183	19,572	29,760	30,413	30,832
Maine	601	576	526	1,195	1,919	3,423	8,408	17,473	25,732	26,853	27,804
New England	872	801	756	1,615	2,494	4,453	10,701	22,884	36,195	37,096	37,494
Maine % of NE	69%	72%	70%	74%	77%	77%	79%	76%	71%	72%	74%

Maine % US

86%

93%

88%

79%

84%

84%

83%

89%

86%

88%

90%