Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy counties in Alaska
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,746 | $90,338 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,121 | $69,250 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 2.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.6% | 15.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bethel Census Area is about 23% lower than in Alaska. Income has been growing faster in Bethel Census Area (4.0%/yr) than in Alaska (2.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Bethel Census Area earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Alaska average of 16%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska grew by 30.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,746 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bethel Census Area | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.626 | 0.540 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,093 | $73,954 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $67,645 | $63,633 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -16.4% | 14.0% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Bethel Census Area, it is 0.626, higher than Alaska's 0.540, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 16% more than men's income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska. Over a 35-year career, a 16% wage gap accumulates to roughly $334,320 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bethel Census Area, Alaska has widened from about -5% to -16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,333 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 14.0% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 8.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 6 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 1,077 people are unemployed in Bethel Census Area, Alaska.
The average commute time in Bethel Census Area is 6 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Alaska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bethel Census Area, Alaska has fallen from 16.7% to 14.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bethel Census Area, Alaska has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Alaska, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bethel Census Area, Alaska.
How Rich Is Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
Bethel Census Area has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $69,746, about 23% lower than the Alaska average of $90,338.
What is the current median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is $69,746.
What was the median household income in Bethel Census Area in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska was $69,746.
What was the median household income in Bethel Census Area in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska was $55,814.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The Gini coefficient in Bethel Census Area is 0.626. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bethel Census Area, Alaska has widened from about -5% to -16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,333 since 2009.