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 | Atlanta | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,760 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $80,311 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 7.4% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 21.4% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Atlanta is about 9% higher than in Georgia. Income has been growing faster in Atlanta (7.4%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 21% of adults in Atlanta earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Georgia average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Atlanta, Georgia grew by 62.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $81,760 in 2023. That's an average of about 7.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Atlanta | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Atlanta | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.593 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $89,562 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $71,288 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.4% | 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 Atlanta, it is 0.593, 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 26% more than women's income in Atlanta, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $639,590 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Atlanta, Georgia has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,901 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Atlanta | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 26.6% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 16,639 people are unemployed in Atlanta, Georgia.
The average commute time in Atlanta is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Atlanta, Georgia has fallen from 11.2% to 5.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Atlanta, Georgia has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Georgia, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Atlanta, Georgia.
How Wealthy Is Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta 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 $81,760, about 9% higher than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Atlanta, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Atlanta, Georgia is $81,760.
What was the median household income in Atlanta in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Atlanta, Georgia was $81,760.
What was the median household income in Atlanta in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Atlanta, Georgia was $64,095.
What is the Gini coefficient in Atlanta, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Atlanta is 0.593. 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 Atlanta, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Atlanta, Georgia has widened from about 18% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,901 since 2009.