New federal data shows consumer spending in Wisconsin growing slower than national average

New federal data shows consumer spending in Wisconsin grew slower than the national average and slower than personal income from 2011 to 2012.

The U.S. Department of Commerce released its first state-by-state breakdown of consumer spending on Thursday. It shows a 3 percent increase in Wisconsin from 2011 to 2012. The biggest jump was in spending for motor vehicles and parts. That grew 6 percent.

Nationally, consumer spending grew an average of 4.1 percent from 2011 to 2012.

But income gains in Wisconsin have been slower as well. Nationally, personal income increased 4.2 percent from 2011 to 2012. In Wisconsin, it grew only 3.9 percent. Real personal income, which takes inflation into account, grew even slower.