Jefferson County, Iowa Income Statistics
Jefferson County Wealth Score
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.
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D
Jefferson County Well below averageAmong the 3 least wealthy counties in Iowa
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $60,987 | $75,133 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,763 | $57,332 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.8% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 5.6% | 8.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 19% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Jefferson County (3.9%/yr) than in Iowa (4.0%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Jefferson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa grew by 54.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $60,987 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Jefferson County
| Metric | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.510 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $64,182 | $66,524 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $49,258 | $52,524 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.3% | 21.0% | 18.4% |
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 Jefferson County, it is 0.539, higher than Iowa's 0.510, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $522,340 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Iowa has narrowed from about 32% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2012, and was narrowest at 7% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,246 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 18.2% | 11.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 626 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Iowa has risen from 5.6% to 8.0% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 4.6% in 2014.
Jefferson County, IA Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Jefferson County, IA is the 4th largest of the 6 counties compared here, 15,705 residents against a local median of 20,002. The measure that sets Jefferson County, IA apart most is unemployment: 8.0%, 94% above the local median of 4.1%. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves sit within 3.0% of each other on unemployment, a tighter band than the gap between any of them and Jefferson County, IA, which makes it a genuine outlier here rather than one end of a wide local spread. Jefferson County, IA has the 6th lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, IA | 15,705 | $60,987 #6/6 | 3.9%/yr #4/6 | 8.0% #6/6 | 0.539 #6/6 |
| Van Buren County, IA | 7,241 | $61,403 | 3.6%/yr | 4.1% | 0.534 |
| Keokuk County, IA | 7,337 | $61,530 | 4.2%/yr | 4.5% | 0.480 |
| Washington County, IA | 22,560 | $76,076 | 3.8%/yr | 2.2% | 0.499 |
| Henry County, IA | 20,002 | $67,907 | 4.0%/yr | 1.5% | 0.538 |
| Wapello County, IA | 35,362 | $64,636 | 5.5%/yr | 4.3% | 0.513 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Iowa?
Jefferson 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 $60,987, about 19% lower than the Iowa average of $75,133.
How has median household income changed in Jefferson County, Iowa?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa rose 55%, from $39,379 to $60,987. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Iowa as a whole: +55% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa was $57,414, up 9% from $52,450 in 2022. The Iowa median that year was $73,347.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa was $48,015. By 2024 it had risen 27% to $60,987.
Is unemployment high in Jefferson County, Iowa?
Unemployment in Jefferson County, Iowa is 8.0%, well above the Iowa rate of 3.6%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.539. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Jefferson County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Iowa has narrowed from about 32% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2012, and was narrowest at 7% in 2022. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,246 since 2009.
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