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 | Mesa County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,777 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,273 | $69,173 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.6% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Mesa County is about 24% lower than in Colorado. Income has been growing slower in Mesa County (5.1%/yr) than in Colorado (5.8%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Mesa 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 Mesa County, Colorado grew by 39.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $70,777 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Mesa County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Mesa County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.536 | 0.547 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,907 | $75,396 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,149 | $61,821 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.0% | 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 Mesa County, it is 0.536, lower than Colorado's 0.547, 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 25% more than women's income in Mesa County, Colorado. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $446,530 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mesa County, Colorado has narrowed from about 28% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $332 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Mesa County | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.1% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 4,022 people are unemployed in Mesa County, Colorado.
The average commute time in Mesa County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Mesa County, Colorado has fallen from 6.5% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Mesa County, Colorado has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Colorado, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Mesa County, Colorado.
How Rich Is Mesa County, Colorado?
Mesa County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $70,777, about 24% lower than the Colorado average of $93,055.
What is the current median household income in Mesa County, Colorado?
As of 2023, the median household income in Mesa County, Colorado is $70,777.
What was the median household income in Mesa County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Mesa County, Colorado was $70,777.
What was the median household income in Mesa County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Mesa County, Colorado was $57,502.
What is the Gini coefficient in Mesa County, Colorado?
The Gini coefficient in Mesa County is 0.536. 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 Mesa County, Colorado?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mesa County, Colorado has narrowed from about 28% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $332 since 2009.