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 | Ashley County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $44,313 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,149 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.9% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.6% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Ashley County is about 25% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing slower in Ashley County (2.9%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Ashley County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Arkansas average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Ashley County, Arkansas grew by 34.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $44,313 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Ashley County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Ashley County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.560 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,962 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $37,878 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.8% | 19.5% | 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 Ashley County, it is 0.560, about the same as Arkansas's 0.556, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 42% more than women's income in Ashley County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 42% wage gap accumulates to roughly $562,940 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ashley County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 46% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,466 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Ashley County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.0% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 423 people are unemployed in Ashley County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Ashley County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Ashley County, Arkansas has fallen from 9.7% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Ashley County, Arkansas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Arkansas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Ashley County, Arkansas.
How Wealthy Is Ashley County, Arkansas?
Ashley 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 $44,313, about 25% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Ashley County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Ashley County, Arkansas is $44,313.
What was the median household income in Ashley County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Ashley County, Arkansas was $44,313.
What was the median household income in Ashley County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Ashley County, Arkansas was $43,411.
What is the Gini coefficient in Ashley County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Ashley County is 0.560. 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 Ashley County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ashley County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 46% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,466 since 2009.