Independence County, Arkansas Income Statistics
Independence County Wealth Score
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.
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D
Independence County Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Independence County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,758 | $60,940 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,039 | $49,255 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.1% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 8.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.8% | 6.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Independence County is about 7% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing faster in Independence County (5.1%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.6%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Independence County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Arkansas average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Independence County, Arkansas grew by 63.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $56,758 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Independence County
| Metric | Independence County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.551 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $49,226 | $57,045 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $44,227 | $46,102 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.2% | 19.2% | 18.4% |
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 Independence County, it is 0.539, lower than Arkansas's 0.551, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in Independence County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $174,965 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Independence County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 28% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,478 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Independence County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.8% | 8.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 670 people are unemployed in Independence County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Independence County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Independence County, Arkansas has fallen from 7.0% to 3.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 8.9% in 2013.
Independence County, AR Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Independence County, AR is the 2nd largest of the 6 counties compared here, 38,178 residents against a local median of 17,772. Where Independence County, AR breaks from the counties next to it is unemployment, sitting 46% below the local median of 7.2% at 3.9%. That is the better end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 4.0% on unemployment, so Independence County, AR sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Independence County, AR has the lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence County, AR | 38,178 | $56,758 #1/6 | 5.1%/yr #1/6 | 3.9% #1/6 | 0.539 #2/6 |
| Jackson County, AR | 16,709 | $44,135 | 4.5%/yr | 9.8% | 0.604 |
| Sharp County, AR | 17,772 | $44,714 | 4.6%/yr | 8.1% | 0.543 |
| Izard County, AR | 14,007 | $49,618 | 4.4%/yr | 7.2% | 0.562 |
| Cleburne County, AR | 25,225 | $56,072 | 3.9%/yr | 6.4% | 0.527 |
| White County, AR | 77,839 | $55,913 | 3.6%/yr | 5.8% | 0.552 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Independence 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 Independence County, Arkansas.
How Wealthy Is Independence County, Arkansas?
Independence 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 $56,758, about 7% lower than the Arkansas average of $60,940.
How fast is household income rising in Independence County, Arkansas?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Independence County, Arkansas rose 63%, from $34,793 to $56,758. Over the same years, income here outpaced Arkansas as a whole: +63% against +58%.
What was the median household income in Independence County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Independence County, Arkansas was $54,348, up 5% from $51,985 in 2022. The Arkansas median that year was $58,782.
What was the median household income in Independence County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Independence County, Arkansas was $48,489. By 2024 it had risen 17% to $56,758.
Is unemployment high in Independence County, Arkansas?
Unemployment in Independence County, Arkansas is only 3.9%, well below the Arkansas rate of 4.9%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Independence County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Independence County is 0.539. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Independence County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Independence County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 28% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,478 since 2009.
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