Wealth Index
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 | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,387 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,081 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.4% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Athens is about 8% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing faster in Athens (5.3%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Athens earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Alabama average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Athens, Alabama grew by 59.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,387 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Athens | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.580 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,465 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,260 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.8% | 25.5% | 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 Athens, it is 0.580, higher than Alabama's 0.572, 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.
Men's income is about 28% more than women's income in Athens, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $462,175 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens, Alabama has narrowed from about 24% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,901 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.2% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 413 people are unemployed in Athens, Alabama.
The average commute time in Athens is 25 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Athens, Alabama has fallen from 9.6% to 3.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Athens, Alabama has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Alabama, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Athens, Alabama.
How Wealthy Is Athens, Alabama?
Athens 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 $57,387, about 8% lower than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Athens, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Athens, Alabama is $57,387.
What was the median household income in Athens in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Athens, Alabama was $57,387.
What was the median household income in Athens in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Athens, Alabama was $48,215.
What is the Gini coefficient in Athens, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Athens is 0.580. 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 Athens, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens, Alabama has narrowed from about 24% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,901 since 2009.