Wealth Index
Less wealthy 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 | Lowndes County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $35,202 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $41,727 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.5% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.7% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lowndes County is about 44% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing slower in Lowndes County (3.5%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, Alabama grew by 16.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $35,202 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lowndes County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lowndes County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.538 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $50,238 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $34,837 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 30.7% | 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 Lowndes County, it is 0.538, 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 44% more than women's income in Lowndes County, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 44% wage gap accumulates to roughly $539,035 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lowndes County, Alabama has widened from about 26% to 31% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,097 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lowndes County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 2.4% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 32 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 283 people are unemployed in Lowndes County, Alabama.
The average commute time in Lowndes County is 32 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lowndes County, Alabama has fallen from 15.7% to 7.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lowndes County, Alabama has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Alabama, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lowndes County, Alabama.
How Rich Is Lowndes County, Alabama?
Lowndes 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 $35,202, about 44% lower than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Lowndes County, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lowndes County, Alabama is $35,202.
What was the median household income in Lowndes County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lowndes County, Alabama was $35,202.
What was the median household income in Lowndes County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lowndes County, Alabama was $34,126.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lowndes County, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Lowndes County is 0.538. 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 Lowndes County, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lowndes County, Alabama has widened from about 26% to 31% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,097 since 2009.