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 | Brooks County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $46,648 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,039 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.4% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.2% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Brooks County is about 38% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Brooks County (4.4%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Brooks County 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 Brooks County, Georgia grew by 14.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $46,648 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Brooks County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Brooks County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.597 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,215 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,971 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.9% | 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 Brooks County, it is 0.597, 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 31% more than women's income in Brooks County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 31% wage gap accumulates to roughly $428,540 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brooks County, Georgia has narrowed from about 30% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,402 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Brooks County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.1% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 460 people are unemployed in Brooks County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Brooks County is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Brooks County, Georgia has fallen from 11.9% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Brooks County, 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 Brooks County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Brooks County, Georgia?
Brooks 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 $46,648, about 38% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Brooks County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Brooks County, Georgia is $46,648.
What was the median household income in Brooks County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Brooks County, Georgia was $46,648.
What was the median household income in Brooks County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Brooks County, Georgia was $37,760.
What is the Gini coefficient in Brooks County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Brooks County is 0.597. 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 Brooks County, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brooks County, Georgia has narrowed from about 30% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,402 since 2009.