State GDP: $381 billion
Growth in 2010: 3.4%
Home to the financial center of the South, Charlotte -- North Carolina's economy was helped by the rebound in the banking sector last year.
Stronger manufacturing activity also helped the state rebound 3.4% last year.
That said, North Carolina still faces several hurdles before it returns to normal, including an unemployment rate well above the national average at 9.7%.
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