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 | Columbia County | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,007 | $71,865 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,006 | $53,537 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 5.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.4% | 10.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 23% lower than in Florida. Income has been growing slower in Columbia County (3.7%/yr) than in Florida (5.7%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Columbia County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Florida average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbia County, Florida grew by 41.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,007 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbia County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbia County | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.567 | 0.566 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,655 | $58,426 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,836 | $48,893 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 7.7% | 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 Columbia County, it is 0.567, about the same as Florida's 0.566, so income here is about as evenly distributed as 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 8% more than women's income in Columbia County, Florida. Over a 35-year career, a 8% wage gap accumulates to roughly $133,665 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Florida has narrowed from about 17% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,455 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia County | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.1% | 13.9% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,892 people are unemployed in Columbia County, Florida.
The average commute time in Columbia County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Florida.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia County, Florida has fallen from 15.9% to 6.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia County, Florida has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Florida, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia County, Florida.
How Rich Is Columbia County, Florida?
Columbia 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 $55,007, about 23% lower than the Florida average of $71,865.
What is the current median household income in Columbia County, Florida?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Florida is $55,007.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Florida was $55,007.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia County, Florida was $44,868.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia County, Florida?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia County is 0.567. 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 Columbia County, Florida?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Florida has narrowed from about 17% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,455 since 2009.