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 | Polk County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,353 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,289 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.6% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Polk County is about 26% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Polk County (5.0%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Polk 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 Polk County, Georgia grew by 38.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,353 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Polk County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Polk County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,021 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $39,145 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.3% | 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 Polk County, it is 0.540, 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 30% more than women's income in Polk County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $415,660 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Polk County, Georgia has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,226 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Polk County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.8% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,095 people are unemployed in Polk County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Polk County is 23 minutes, about the same as in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Polk County, Georgia has fallen from 11.4% to 5.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Polk 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 Polk County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Polk County, Georgia?
Polk 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 $55,353, about 26% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Polk County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Polk County, Georgia is $55,353.
What was the median household income in Polk County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Polk County, Georgia was $55,353.
What was the median household income in Polk County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Polk County, Georgia was $47,108.
What is the Gini coefficient in Polk County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Polk County is 0.540. 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 Polk County, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Polk County, Georgia has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,226 since 2009.