San Diego County's GDP up to $261.7 billion

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The Gross Domestic Product of San Diego was an eye-popping $261 billion in 2023. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis released those numbers, exciting experts to the continued strength of "American’s Finest City.”

In this case, however, they are considering the economics of the entire county.

“This should be a point of pride. It means we have a lot of economic activity happening here in San Diego,” said Professor Alan Gin from the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego.

The Gross Domestic Product, or GPD, of San Diego are all the economic goods and services transacted in county.

The San Diego GDP, according to Gin, is "bigger than half of the states in the U.S. and bigger than some countries GDPs, including some significant players like Greece."

That’s right, San Diego County by itself is wealthier than the entire country of Greece and wealthier than most small European countries as well. But that doesn’t always make it easy for all residents to enjoy this economic powerhouse of a county.

“Part of the reason things are so expensive is that people want to live here and part of that is due to the economy,” said Gin.

The professor said San Diego’s robust and diverse economic base, including tech, biotech, military, engineering, maritime construction, and tourism makes the city the 10th most productive in the U.S.

So living in the wealthiest country, in the wealthiest state, in one of the wealthiest counties -- what does Professor Gin see for the future of San Diego County?

“Things tend to be self-reinforcing. So in this case, if we have a lot of economic activity, it means this is a place to do business,” said Gin.