Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Wheeler County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $45,285 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $27,950 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.4% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.2% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wheeler County is about 39% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing faster in Wheeler County (8.4%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 2% of adults in Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, Georgia grew by 25.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $45,285 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Wheeler County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Wheeler County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.629 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $25,759 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $34,838 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -35.2% | 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 Wheeler County, it is 0.629, 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.
Women's income is about 35% more than men's income in Wheeler County, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 35% wage gap accumulates to roughly $317,765 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wheeler County, Georgia has widened from about 34% to -35% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $21,090 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wheeler County | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.2% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 196 people are unemployed in Wheeler County, Georgia.
The average commute time in Wheeler County is 30 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wheeler County, Georgia has risen from 4.3% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wheeler County, Georgia has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than Georgia, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Wheeler County, Georgia.
How Rich Is Wheeler County, Georgia?
Wheeler County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $45,285, about 39% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Wheeler County, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Wheeler County, Georgia is $45,285.
What was the median household income in Wheeler County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wheeler County, Georgia was $45,285.
What was the median household income in Wheeler County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wheeler County, Georgia was $29,079.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wheeler County, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Wheeler County is 0.629. 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 Wheeler County, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wheeler County, Georgia has widened from about 34% to -35% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $21,090 since 2009.