Wealth Index
Wealthier than 86% of counties 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 | Boulder County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $103,231 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $84,920 | $69,173 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 21.8% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Boulder County is about 11% higher than in Colorado. Income has been growing slower in Boulder County (5.2%/yr) than in Colorado (5.8%/yr).
About 22% of adults in Boulder County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Colorado average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Boulder County, Colorado grew by 59.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $103,231 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Boulder County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Boulder County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.571 | 0.547 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $93,602 | $75,396 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $74,966 | $61,821 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.9% | 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 Boulder County, it is 0.571, higher than Colorado's 0.547, 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 25% more than women's income in Boulder County, Colorado. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $652,260 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Boulder County, Colorado has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,189 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Boulder County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 27.9% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 8,592 people are unemployed in Boulder County, Colorado.
The average commute time in Boulder County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Boulder County, Colorado has fallen from 6.7% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Boulder County, Colorado has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Colorado, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Boulder County, Colorado.
How Rich Is Boulder County, Colorado?
Boulder County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $103,231, about 11% higher than the Colorado average of $93,055.
What is the current median household income in Boulder County, Colorado?
As of 2023, the median household income in Boulder County, Colorado is $103,231.
What was the median household income in Boulder County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Boulder County, Colorado was $103,231.
What was the median household income in Boulder County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Boulder County, Colorado was $88,116.
What is the Gini coefficient in Boulder County, Colorado?
The Gini coefficient in Boulder County is 0.571. 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 Boulder County, Colorado?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Boulder County, Colorado has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,189 since 2009.