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 | Etowah County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $52,922 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,999 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.0% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Etowah County is about 15% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing slower in Etowah County (4.0%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Etowah County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Alabama average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Etowah County, Alabama grew by 45.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $52,922 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Etowah County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Etowah County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $52,627 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,325 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.4% | 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 Etowah County, it is 0.537, lower than Alabama's 0.572, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 31% more than women's income in Etowah County, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 31% wage gap accumulates to roughly $430,570 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Etowah County, Alabama has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,493 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Etowah County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.8% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,911 people are unemployed in Etowah County, Alabama.
The average commute time in Etowah County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Etowah County, Alabama has fallen from 10.2% to 6.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Etowah County, 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 Etowah County, Alabama.
How Wealthy Is Etowah County, Alabama?
Etowah County 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 $52,922, about 15% lower than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Etowah County, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Etowah County, Alabama is $52,922.
What was the median household income in Etowah County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Etowah County, Alabama was $52,922.
What was the median household income in Etowah County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Etowah County, Alabama was $44,948.
What is the Gini coefficient in Etowah County, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Etowah County is 0.537. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Etowah County, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Etowah County, Alabama has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,493 since 2009.