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 | Sussex County | Delaware Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $78,500 | $83,492 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,806 | $63,426 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.8% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sussex County is about 6% lower than in Delaware. Income has been growing faster in Sussex County (5.3%/yr) than in Delaware (4.6%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Sussex County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Delaware average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Sussex County, Delaware grew by 54.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $78,500 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sussex County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sussex County | Delaware Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.521 | 0.546 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,811 | $69,033 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,924 | $57,805 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.0% | 16.3% | 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 Sussex County, it is 0.521, lower than Delaware's 0.546, 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 15% more than women's income in Sussex County, Delaware. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $276,045 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sussex County, Delaware has narrowed from about 22% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,731 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sussex County | Delaware Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.8% | 13.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 5,743 people are unemployed in Sussex County, Delaware.
The average commute time in Sussex County is 22 minutes, about the same as in Delaware.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sussex County, Delaware has fallen from 7.7% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sussex County, Delaware has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Delaware, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sussex County, Delaware.
How Rich Is Sussex County, Delaware?
Sussex 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 $78,500, about 6% lower than the Delaware average of $83,492.
What is the current median household income in Sussex County, Delaware?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sussex County, Delaware is $78,500.
What was the median household income in Sussex County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sussex County, Delaware was $78,500.
What was the median household income in Sussex County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sussex County, Delaware was $64,712.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sussex County, Delaware?
The Gini coefficient in Sussex County is 0.521. 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 Sussex County, Delaware?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sussex County, Delaware has narrowed from about 22% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,731 since 2009.