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 | Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $52,563 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,588 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.9% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.3% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is about 30% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing faster in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) (6.9%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Georgia average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia grew by 58.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $52,563 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.621 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,060 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,946 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 6.1% | 19.0% | 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 Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), it is 0.621, higher than Georgia's 0.578, 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 6% more than women's income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 6% wage gap accumulates to roughly $108,990 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia has narrowed from about 20% to 6% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,383 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.9% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 3,485 people are unemployed in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia.
The average commute time in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is 16 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia has fallen from 7.1% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Georgia, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia.
How Wealthy Is Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia?
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) 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 $52,563, about 30% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia is $52,563.
What was the median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia was $52,563.
What was the median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia was $40,161.
What is the Gini coefficient in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) is 0.621. 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 Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), Georgia has narrowed from about 20% to 6% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,383 since 2009.