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 | Dalton | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,824 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $42,814 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.7% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.5% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dalton is about 16% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing faster in Dalton (8.7%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Dalton 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 Dalton, Georgia grew by 66.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,824 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dalton | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dalton | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.555 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,457 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,325 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.5% | 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 Dalton, it is 0.555, 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 21% more than women's income in Dalton, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $284,620 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dalton, Georgia has widened from about 15% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,554 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dalton | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.2% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 595 people are unemployed in Dalton, Georgia.
The average commute time in Dalton is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dalton, Georgia has fallen from 8.8% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dalton, 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 Dalton, Georgia.
How Rich Is Dalton, Georgia?
Dalton 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 $62,824, about 16% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Dalton, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dalton, Georgia is $62,824.
What was the median household income in Dalton in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dalton, Georgia was $62,824.
What was the median household income in Dalton in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dalton, Georgia was $45,347.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dalton, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Dalton is 0.555. 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 Dalton, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dalton, Georgia has widened from about 15% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,554 since 2009.