Wealth Index
Least wealthy county in Colorado
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 | Bent County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,653 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,642 | $69,173 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.4% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bent County is about 48% lower than in Colorado. Income has been growing slower in Bent County (5.4%/yr) than in Colorado (5.8%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Bent County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Colorado average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bent County, Colorado grew by 37.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $48,653 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bent County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bent County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.697 | 0.547 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,777 | $75,396 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,249 | $61,821 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 30.3% | 18.0% | 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 Bent County, it is 0.697, higher than Colorado's 0.547, 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 44% more than women's income in Bent County, Colorado. Over a 35-year career, a 44% wage gap accumulates to roughly $613,480 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bent County, Colorado has widened from about 5% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $15,988 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bent County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.4% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 77 people are unemployed in Bent County, Colorado.
The average commute time in Bent County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bent County, Colorado has fallen from 12.4% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bent County, Colorado has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than Colorado, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bent County, Colorado.
How Rich Is Bent County, Colorado?
Bent 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 $48,653, about 48% lower than the Colorado average of $93,055.
What is the current median household income in Bent County, Colorado?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bent County, Colorado is $48,653.
What was the median household income in Bent County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bent County, Colorado was $48,653.
What was the median household income in Bent County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bent County, Colorado was $37,604.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bent County, Colorado?
The Gini coefficient in Bent County is 0.697. 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 Bent County, Colorado?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bent County, Colorado has widened from about 5% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $15,988 since 2009.