Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 92% 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 | Jefferson County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,853 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,940 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.4% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.5% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 17% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing slower in Jefferson County (4.4%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Arkansas grew by 38.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $48,853 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.578 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,138 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,371 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.1% | 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 Jefferson County, it is 0.578, 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 16% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 16% wage gap accumulates to roughly $236,845 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 24% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,566 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 2,051 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Arkansas has fallen from 14.1% to 7.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Arkansas?
Jefferson 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 $48,853, about 17% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Arkansas is $48,853.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Arkansas was $48,853.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Arkansas was $40,361.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.578. 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 Jefferson County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 24% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,566 since 2009.