Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy 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 | Sumter County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $37,861 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $37,576 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 9.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.2% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sumter County is about 39% lower than in Alabama. Income has been growing faster in Sumter County (9.3%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 2% of adults in Sumter 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 Sumter County, Alabama grew by 81.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $37,861 in 2023. That's an average of about 9.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sumter County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sumter County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.610 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $50,287 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $29,734 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 40.9% | 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 Sumter County, it is 0.610, 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 69% more than women's income in Sumter County, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 69% wage gap accumulates to roughly $719,355 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sumter County, Alabama has widened from about 25% to 41% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $11,632 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sumter County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.0% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 400 people are unemployed in Sumter County, Alabama.
The average commute time in Sumter County is 22 minutes, about the same as in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sumter County, Alabama has fallen from 18.4% to 8.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sumter County, Alabama has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it somewhat worse than Alabama, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sumter County, Alabama.
How Rich Is Sumter County, Alabama?
Sumter County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $37,861, about 39% lower than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Sumter County, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sumter County, Alabama is $37,861.
What was the median household income in Sumter County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sumter County, Alabama was $37,861.
What was the median household income in Sumter County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sumter County, Alabama was $26,843.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sumter County, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Sumter County is 0.610. 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 Sumter County, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sumter County, Alabama has widened from about 25% to 41% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $11,632 since 2009.