Wealth Index
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 | Pope County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,551 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,593 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.9% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Pope County is about 5% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing slower in Pope County (4.6%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Pope 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 Pope County, Arkansas grew by 44.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,551 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Pope County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Pope County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.573 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,967 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,459 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 31.3% | 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 Pope County, it is 0.573, higher than Arkansas's 0.556, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 46% more than women's income in Pope County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 46% wage gap accumulates to roughly $612,780 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pope County, Arkansas has widened from about 29% to 31% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,865 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Pope County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.2% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 1,367 people are unemployed in Pope County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Pope County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Pope County, Arkansas has fallen from 7.6% to 4.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Pope 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 Pope County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Pope County, Arkansas?
Pope 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 $55,551, about 5% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Pope County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Pope County, Arkansas is $55,551.
What was the median household income in Pope County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Pope County, Arkansas was $55,551.
What was the median household income in Pope County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Pope County, Arkansas was $46,076.
What is the Gini coefficient in Pope County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Pope County is 0.573. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Pope County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pope County, Arkansas has widened from about 29% to 31% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,865 since 2009.