Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy 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 | Decatur County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,010 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,853 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.7% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Decatur County is about 24% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Decatur County (5.6%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Decatur 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 Decatur County, Iowa grew by 65.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,010 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Decatur County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Decatur County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.536 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,966 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,499 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.2% | 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 Decatur County, it is 0.536, 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 22% more than women's income in Decatur County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $331,345 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Decatur County, Iowa has narrowed from about 24% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $991 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Decatur County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.9% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 117 people are unemployed in Decatur County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Decatur County is 16 minutes, about the same as in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Decatur County, Iowa has fallen from 6.7% to 3.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Decatur County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Iowa, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Decatur County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Decatur County, Iowa?
Decatur 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 $56,010, about 24% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Decatur County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Decatur County, Iowa is $56,010.
What was the median household income in Decatur County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Decatur County, Iowa was $56,010.
What was the median household income in Decatur County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Decatur County, Iowa was $48,110.
What is the Gini coefficient in Decatur County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Decatur County is 0.536. 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 Decatur County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Decatur County, Iowa has narrowed from about 24% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $991 since 2009.