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 | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,370 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $68,015 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 15.6% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 29% higher than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Columbia County (4.2%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Columbia County 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 Columbia County, Georgia grew by 44.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $96,370 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbia County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbia County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.566 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $76,955 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $58,239 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 24.3% | 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 Columbia County, it is 0.566, lower than Georgia's 0.578, so income is more evenly distributed here than 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 32% more than women's income in Columbia County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 32% wage gap accumulates to roughly $655,060 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, Georgia has narrowed from about 33% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $182 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.6% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 3,692 people are unemployed in Columbia County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Columbia County is 23 minutes, about the same as in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia County, Georgia has fallen from 6.2% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia County, 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 Columbia County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Columbia County, Georgia?
Columbia County 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 $96,370, about 29% higher than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Columbia County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Georgia is $96,370.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Georgia was $96,370.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia County, Georgia was $83,526.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia County is 0.566. 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, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Georgia has narrowed from about 33% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $182 since 2009.