On average, states that have younger populations report the highest sales of music products. This is especially true of states with high percentages of residents between the ages of 12 and 24. A sluggish economy can put a damper on sales, but sales relative to this demographic remain essentially the same.
People who are relatively unaffected by tough economic times buy more music than those who are hit harder. Prosperity varies from state to state, even during a recession or depression. Discretionary income is a major factor in the sale of music products.
The cultural richness of a region plays a part. If an area is a center of culture, music-related sales will remain comparatively strong even during an economic slump. Tax burdens play a role, too. Residents of states where sales tax is high sometimes go to other states to make purchases.