Wealth Index
Wealthier than 89% 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 | Prairie County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $51,207 | $58,772 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,581 | $49,808 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.4% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.6% | 7.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Prairie County is about 13% lower than in Arkansas. Income has been growing slower in Prairie County (4.4%/yr) than in Arkansas (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Prairie 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 Prairie County, Arkansas grew by 61.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $51,207 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Prairie County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Prairie County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,725 | $55,368 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $39,474 | $44,548 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.6% | 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 Prairie County, it is 0.539, 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 26% more than women's income in Prairie County, Arkansas. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $358,785 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Prairie County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $941 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Prairie County | Arkansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.6% | 7.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 151 people are unemployed in Prairie County, Arkansas.
The average commute time in Prairie County is 22 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Arkansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Prairie County, Arkansas has fallen from 5.1% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Prairie County, Arkansas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat better than Arkansas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Prairie County, Arkansas.
How Rich Is Prairie County, Arkansas?
Prairie 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 $51,207, about 13% lower than the Arkansas average of $58,772.
What is the current median household income in Prairie County, Arkansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Prairie County, Arkansas is $51,207.
What was the median household income in Prairie County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Prairie County, Arkansas was $51,207.
What was the median household income in Prairie County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Prairie County, Arkansas was $43,055.
What is the Gini coefficient in Prairie County, Arkansas?
The Gini coefficient in Prairie 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 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Prairie County, Arkansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Prairie County, Arkansas has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $941 since 2009.