Changde has a distinctive rapid economic development. 
    In agriculture, many leading enterprises such as Jinjian Cereals, Dongting Aquaculture and Grandmen Environmental Protection have been fostered and the agricultural industrialization level is improved greatly by fully implementing five one-million-mu project, i.e. one million mu high quality vegetable, water surface for cultivation, artificial forage grass, high quality fruit and poplar each. 
    In industry, 11 advantageous industries including aluminum materials, tobacco, pearl, construction materials, mechanic-electrics, plantation-paper, foodstuff, power, salt, medicine, and textile are formed basically. The market quota of Furongwang cigarette, Xinxiangyin paper and Jinjian series food is very large, and Furongwang is the famous trademark of the State.
    In logistics, the local radiation of some specialized markets such as Changde Qiaonan Market, Changde Railway Station Market, Ganlusi Vegetable Whole-sale Market and Changde Furnishing Industry Park is being expanded greatly.
    In 2004, the GDP in Changde is 58.8 billion Yuan, 13.2% higher than last year and its total economic volume occupies third place in Hunan province. The total financial and tax revenues is 9.19 billion Yuan, 42.9% higher than the previous year. Its average fiscal budget revenue is 2.16 billion Yuan, an increase of 969 Yuan. The average net income per farmer is 2952 Yuan, an increase of 402 Yuan.
    After the 16th National Congress of the CPC, Changde has made a plan that by 2015, the GDP will be quadrupled 5 years ahead of time and the whole of Changde will become a well-off society. In 2004, Changde municipal government has made a target of "establishing industries of  100 billion Yuan and making Changde an industrial city"and a guideline of "making Changde powerful by developing industry and making people rich by developing private enterprises".