Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 89% of counties in Arkansas
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 | Columbia County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,017 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,071 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.1% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 20% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing slower in Columbia County (3.7%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Columbia 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 Columbia County, Arkansas grew by 33.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $47,017 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbia County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbia County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.595 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $45,755 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,108 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 3.6% | 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 Columbia County, it is 0.595, higher than Arkansas's 0.556, 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 4% more than women's income in Columbia County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 4% wage gap accumulates to roughly $57,645 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 37% to 4% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $13,865 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.0% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 300 people are unemployed in Columbia County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Columbia County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia County, Arkansas has fallen from 10.1% to 3.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia County, Arkansas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Arkansas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Columbia County, Arkansas?
Columbia 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 $47,017, about 20% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Columbia County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Arkansas is $47,017.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Arkansas was $47,017.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia County, Arkansas was $38,092.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia County is 0.595. 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 Columbia County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 37% to 4% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $13,865 since 2009.