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Useful Stats: State Patent Figures, 2001-2004
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides online reports presenting the number of patents filed within each state distributed across technology sector or organization. Patent activity is considered an important indicator for measuring innovation and understanding economic growth.
Using USPTO data, SSTI has compiled a table showing the most recent patent activity per 10,000 residents from 2001-2004. Idaho, which ranked first between 1998-2001, continued its reign on patent activity by holding the top spot throughout the four-year period. Kansas showed the greatest increase in patents per 10,000 residents, moving up 10 positions from 39th in 2001 to 29th in 2004. Nevada and the District of Columbia tied for the second-largest increase, moving up six positions over the four years.
In contrast, North Dakota experienced the largest drop in patent activity per 10,000 residents - from 35th in 2001 to 44th in 2004 - and was followed by Oklahoma, which dropped seven positions to 37th in 2004.
SSTI's table is available at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/050106t.htm
Also available is an SSTI table showing 1998-2001 data: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/031403t.htm