Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy 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 | Lee County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $37,220 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $42,905 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.8% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lee County is about 37% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing faster in Lee County (5.7%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Lee 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 Lee County, Arkansas grew by 39.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $37,220 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lee County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.628 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,136 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,263 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.1% | 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 Lee County, it is 0.628, 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 21% more than women's income in Lee County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $275,555 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 22% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $34 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lee County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 17.7% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.3% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 495 people are unemployed in Lee County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Lee County is 20 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
The unemployment rate in Lee County, Arkansas has stayed about flat at 17.7% since 2011.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lee County, Arkansas has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it somewhat worse than Arkansas, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lee County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Lee County, Arkansas?
Lee County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $37,220, about 37% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Lee County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Arkansas is $37,220.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Arkansas was $37,220.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lee County, Arkansas was $27,071.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lee County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Lee County is 0.628. 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 Lee County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 22% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $34 since 2009.