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 | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,414 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,297 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.6% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.0% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 22% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Jefferson County (3.6%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Iowa grew by 45.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,414 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,968 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,088 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.6% | 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 Jefferson County, it is 0.539, 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 17% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $275,800 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 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,798 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 18.2% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 428 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 fallen from 5.6% to 5.3% in 2023.
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 $57,414, about 22% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa is $57,414.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa was $57,414.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Iowa was $48,015.
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 0.570, 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 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,798 since 2009.