The following is a list of the top-10 cities ranked by income growth. (To see the full list of the top 100 metro areas, click here.)

1. New Orleans

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita dealt New Orleans a double whammy in 2005, but the city is on the rebound. Income levels have soared, in part because the post-hurricane exodus of poor people has artificially inflated the area’s PCI. No market has posted a bigger increase since 2003. Growth score: 76.7 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $44,136

• 2003: $29,244

• 1993: $19,762

• 1983: $12,404

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 50.9 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 123.3 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 255.8 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 1,134,029

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 440,200

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -2.0 percent

2. Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City has been an oasis of stability during the recession. Its midyear unemployment rate of 6.0 percent was vastly better than the nation’s 9.5 percent. And its income growth rate has been solid. Oklahoma City is one of just 12 markets that have doubled their PCIs since 1993. Growth score: 51.7 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $40,942

• 2003: $28,909

• 1993: $18,996

• 1983: $13,254

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 41.6 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 115.5 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 208.9 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 1,206,142

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 454,000

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -1.6 percent

3. Bridgeport-Stamford, Connecticut

The nation’s most affluent market keeps getting wealthier. Bridgeport-Stamford’s PCI of $82,266 is $20,500 larger than that of the runner-up, San Francisco-Oakland. And its income growth rate during the past five years has been the fourth-best in the nation. Growth score: 48.9 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $82,266

• 2003: $59,691

• 1993: $38,407

• 1983: $19,390

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 37.8 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 114.2 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 324.3 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 895,030

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 363,500

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -3.6 percent

4. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Economic conditions aren’t as upbeat in Tulsa as in nearby Oklahoma City, but they’re close. Tulsa’s midyear unemployment rate was a tad higher at 6.8 percent, and its 15-year income growth rate is a touch lower at 109.7 percent. But the latter is still seventh-best in America. Growth score: 45.1 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $43,330

• 2003: $30,494

• 1993: $20,667

• 1983: $13,184

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 42.1 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 109.7 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 228.7 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 916,079

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 374,700

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -2.7 percent

5. Houston

No U.S. market has boosted employment more effectively during the past half-decade than Houston, which has added 224,100 jobs since 2004. The consequent impact on PCI has been obvious. Houston is one of only five markets with a five-year income growth rate above 35 percent. Growth score: 44.2 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $48,259

• 2003: $35,140

• 1993: $22,625

• 1983: $14,327

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 37.3 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 113.3 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 236.8 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 5,728,143

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 2,184,900

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -3.5 percent

6. El Paso, Texas

Income levels are sadly depressed in Texas’ western outpost. Only three of the nation’s 100 biggest markets are below El Paso’s anemic PCI of $27,944. But the good news is that things are changing. The five-year income growth rate in El Paso is the 10th-best in America. Growth score: 36.2 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $27,944

• 2003: $21,099

• 1993: $13,748

• 1983: $8,546

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 32.4 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 103.3 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 227.0 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 742,062

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 208,500

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -2.1 percent

7. San Francisco-Oakland

San Francisco-Oakland’s PCI of $61,747 ranks second nationally. The only other place topping $59,000 is leader Bridgeport-Stamford, Connecticut. Long-range growth has also been impressive. San Francisco-Oakland’s PCI has soared 246.4 percent in 25 years, a rate exceeded by just six markets. Growth score: 27.4 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $61,747

• 2003: $46,732

• 1993: $29,324

• 1983: $17,823

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 32.1 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 110.6 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 246.4 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 4,274,531

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 1,631,100

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -5.3 percent

8. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge was not hurt as badly as New Orleans by 2005’s monster storms. Its comeback consequently has not been quite as strong, yet still impressive enough. PCI has risen 34.9 percent in Baton Rouge in the past half-decade. Only five markets, including New Orleans, have done better. Growth score: 27.2 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $35,649

• 2003: $26,418

• 1993: $18,465

• 1983: $11,333

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 34.9 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 93.1 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 214.6 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 774,327

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 298,900

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -0.2 percent

9. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham has been a quiet success story. Its income growth rates haven’t been exceptional, yet still have surpassed most markets. It ranks 14th for the 1993 to 2008 span, and 19th during the most recent half-decade. The end res—ninth place in the overall standings. Growth score: 26.8 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $40,379

• 2003: $31,362

• 1993: $20,272

• 1983: $11,140

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 28.8 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 99.2 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 262.5 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 1,117,608

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 429,500

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -4.0 percent

10. Boston

Boston has lost 68,500 jobs since mid-2008, but the news isn’t all bad. The midyear jobless rate of 8.3 percent was better than the nation’s 9.5 percent. And Boston’s 25-year PCI growth of 273.1 percent is virtually unsurpassed. Only Bridgeport-Stamford, Connecticut, has done better in that span. Growth score: 25.9 points.

Per-capita income (PCI):

• 2008: $55,023

• 2003: $42,794

• 1993: $27,138

• 1983: $14,747

Income growth:

• 2003 to 2008 (5 years): 28.6 percent

• 1993 to 2008 (15 years): 102.8 percent

• 1983 to 2008 (25 years): 273.1 percent

Other stats

Metro population (2008): 4,522,858

Private-sector employment (June 2009): 2,148,400

Employment growth (2008 to 2009): -3.1 percent

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G. Scott Thomas is projects editor for Buffalo Business First.