Wealth Index
Wealthier than 79% of counties in Georgia
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 | Chatham County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,714 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,253 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.8% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Chatham County is about 7% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Chatham County (5.0%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Chatham 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 Chatham County, Georgia grew by 57.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,714 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Chatham County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Chatham County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.559 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,087 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,752 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.4% | 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 Chatham County, it is 0.559, lower than Georgia's 0.578, 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 20% more than women's income in Chatham County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $326,725 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chatham County, Georgia has narrowed from about 26% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,899 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Chatham County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.9% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 8,609 people are unemployed in Chatham County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Chatham County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Chatham County, Georgia has fallen from 7.6% to 5.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Chatham County, Georgia has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Georgia, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Chatham County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Chatham County, Georgia?
Chatham County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $69,714, about 7% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Chatham County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Chatham County, Georgia is $69,714.
What was the median household income in Chatham County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Chatham County, Georgia was $69,714.
What was the median household income in Chatham County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Chatham County, Georgia was $58,313.
What is the Gini coefficient in Chatham County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Chatham County is 0.559. 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 Chatham County, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chatham County, Georgia has narrowed from about 26% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,899 since 2009.