Personal Income Climbs 1.8 Percent

Arkansas and Nebraska led the country in personal income gains during the first three months of this year, helped by a jump in federal subsidy payments to farmers.

But per capita income fell in North Dakota and South Dakota and Montana, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Northwest states had some of the smallest gains. In Washington, incomes rose only 0.9 percent, while in Idaho they rose 1 percent.

For the nation, personal income increased 1.8 percent in the first quarter, more than double one measure of inflation tied to gross domestic product. The government said the inflation gauge rose a tame 0.7 percent, with 45 states posting income gains in excess of that rate.

Farm income soared 5.4 percent in the three-month period, helping to put some agriculture states among the leaders.

Leading the way was Arkansas, reporting a 3.7 percent increase in income, followed by Nebraska at 3.3 percent.