Wealth Index
Wealthier than 83% of counties in Alabama
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 | Lee County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,111 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,875 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.2% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lee County is about 2% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing slower in Lee County (4.5%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Lee County 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 Lee County, Alabama grew by 58.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $61,111 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lee County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.594 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $64,370 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,191 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.6% | 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 Lee County, it is 0.594, 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 31% more than women's income in Lee County, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 31% wage gap accumulates to roughly $531,265 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Alabama has narrowed from about 26% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,780 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lee County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 3,197 people are unemployed in Lee County, Alabama.
The average commute time in Lee County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lee County, Alabama has fallen from 9.0% to 3.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lee County, Alabama has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Alabama, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lee County, Alabama.
How Rich Is Lee County, Alabama?
Lee County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $61,111, about 2% lower than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Lee County, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Alabama is $61,111.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Alabama was $61,111.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lee County, Alabama was $53,214.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lee County, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Lee County is 0.594. 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 Lee County, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Alabama has narrowed from about 26% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,780 since 2009.