Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 71% 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 | Clarke County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,938 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,043 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.4% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Clarke County is about 6% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Clarke County (5.7%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Clarke 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 Clarke County, Iowa grew by 50.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $68,938 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Clarke County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Clarke County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.506 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,873 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,422 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 24.1% | 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 Clarke County, it is 0.506, lower than Iowa's 0.518, 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 32% more than women's income in Clarke County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 32% wage gap accumulates to roughly $505,785 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Clarke County, Iowa has narrowed from about 31% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,594 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Clarke County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.0% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 189 people are unemployed in Clarke County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Clarke County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Clarke County, Iowa has fallen from 5.2% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Clarke 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 Clarke County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Clarke County, Iowa?
Clarke 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 $68,938, about 6% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Clarke County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Clarke County, Iowa is $68,938.
What was the median household income in Clarke County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Clarke County, Iowa was $68,938.
What was the median household income in Clarke County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Clarke County, Iowa was $55,524.
What is the Gini coefficient in Clarke County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Clarke County is 0.506. 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 Clarke County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Clarke County, Iowa has narrowed from about 31% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,594 since 2009.