Wealth Index
Wealthier than 79% 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 | Tuscaloosa County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $63,805 | $62,318 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,581 | $53,379 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.8% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Tuscaloosa County is about 2% higher than in Alabama. Income has been growing slower in Tuscaloosa County (4.2%/yr) than in Alabama (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County, Alabama grew by 60.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $63,805 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Tuscaloosa County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Tuscaloosa County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.585 | 0.572 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,435 | $61,248 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,758 | $45,616 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.6% | 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 Tuscaloosa County, it is 0.585, 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 29% more than women's income in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $478,695 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama has narrowed from about 27% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,063 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Tuscaloosa County | Alabama Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.6% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 6,310 people are unemployed in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
The average commute time in Tuscaloosa County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Alabama.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama has fallen from 7.3% to 5.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
How Rich Is Tuscaloosa County, Alabama?
Tuscaloosa 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 $63,805, about 2% higher than the Alabama average of $62,318.
What is the current median household income in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama?
As of 2023, the median household income in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama is $63,805.
What was the median household income in Tuscaloosa County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama was $63,805.
What was the median household income in Tuscaloosa County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama was $54,784.
What is the Gini coefficient in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama?
The Gini coefficient in Tuscaloosa County is 0.585. 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 Tuscaloosa County, Alabama?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama has narrowed from about 27% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,063 since 2009.