Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 76% of counties in Iowa
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 | Black Hawk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,030 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,912 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Black Hawk County is about 11% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Black Hawk County (3.7%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Black Hawk County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Black Hawk County, Iowa grew by 51.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,030 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Black Hawk County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Black Hawk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.526 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,230 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,880 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.8% | 21.5% | 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 Black Hawk County, it is 0.526, higher than Iowa's 0.518, so income is less 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 23% more than women's income in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $397,250 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Black Hawk County, Iowa has narrowed from about 28% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $641 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Black Hawk County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.5% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 3,377 people are unemployed in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Black Hawk County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Black Hawk County, Iowa has fallen from 7.1% to 4.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Black Hawk County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Iowa, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Black Hawk County, Iowa?
Black Hawk County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $65,030, about 11% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Black Hawk County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Black Hawk County, Iowa is $65,030.
What was the median household income in Black Hawk County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Black Hawk County, Iowa was $65,030.
What was the median household income in Black Hawk County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Black Hawk County, Iowa was $55,549.
What is the Gini coefficient in Black Hawk County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Black Hawk County is 0.526. 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 Black Hawk County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Black Hawk County, Iowa has narrowed from about 28% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $641 since 2009.