Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 73% 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 | Newton County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,712 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,780 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.8% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Newton County is about 17% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing faster in Newton County (5.7%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Newton 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 Newton County, Arkansas grew by 71.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $48,712 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Newton County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Newton County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.508 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,219 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,005 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.1% | 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 Newton County, it is 0.508, lower than Arkansas's 0.556, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 10% more than women's income in Newton County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $147,490 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Newton County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 18% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,003 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Newton County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.7% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 32 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 121 people are unemployed in Newton County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Newton County is 32 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Newton County, Arkansas has risen from 3.8% to 3.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Newton 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 Newton County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Newton County, Arkansas?
Newton 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 $48,712, about 17% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Newton County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Newton County, Arkansas is $48,712.
What was the median household income in Newton County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Newton County, Arkansas was $48,712.
What was the median household income in Newton County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Newton County, Arkansas was $39,669.
What is the Gini coefficient in Newton County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Newton County is 0.508. 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 Newton County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Newton County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 18% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,003 since 2009.