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 | Dubuque County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $75,820 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,061 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.4% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dubuque County is about 3% higher than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Dubuque County (4.4%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Dubuque County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Iowa average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa grew by 74.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $75,820 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dubuque County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dubuque County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.514 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,249 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,510 | $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 Dubuque County, it is 0.514, about the same as Iowa's 0.518, so income here is about as evenly distributed as 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 Dubuque County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 32% wage gap accumulates to roughly $550,865 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dubuque County, Iowa has narrowed from about 25% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,894 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dubuque County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.0% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 2,022 people are unemployed in Dubuque County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Dubuque County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dubuque County, Iowa has fallen from 5.0% to 3.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dubuque County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Iowa, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Dubuque County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Dubuque County, Iowa?
Dubuque County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $75,820, about 3% higher than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa is $75,820.
What was the median household income in Dubuque County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa was $75,820.
What was the median household income in Dubuque County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa was $65,186.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dubuque County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Dubuque County is 0.514. 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 Dubuque County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dubuque County, Iowa has narrowed from about 25% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,894 since 2009.