Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 71% 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 | Laurens County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,661 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,684 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.1% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Laurens County is about 34% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing faster in Laurens County (5.7%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Laurens 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 Laurens County, Georgia grew by 30.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $49,661 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Laurens County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Laurens County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.602 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,590 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,982 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.7% | 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 Laurens County, it is 0.602, 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 28% more than women's income in Laurens County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $406,280 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Laurens County, Georgia has narrowed from about 25% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,675 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Laurens County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.7% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,230 people are unemployed in Laurens County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Laurens County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
The unemployment rate in Laurens County, Georgia has stayed about flat at 5.7% since 2011.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Laurens 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 Laurens County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Laurens County, Georgia?
Laurens 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 $49,661, about 34% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Laurens County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Laurens County, Georgia is $49,661.
What was the median household income in Laurens County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Laurens County, Georgia was $49,661.
What was the median household income in Laurens County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Laurens County, Georgia was $39,402.
What is the Gini coefficient in Laurens County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Laurens County is 0.602. 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 Laurens County, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Laurens County, Georgia has narrowed from about 25% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,675 since 2009.