Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 92% 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 | Lee County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,851 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,822 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lee County is about 18% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing faster in Lee County (4.3%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Lee 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 Lee County, Iowa grew by 44.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,851 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lee County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.507 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,980 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,252 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.6% | 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 Lee County, it is 0.507, 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 26% more than women's income in Lee County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $410,480 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Iowa has narrowed from about 31% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $877 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lee County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.6% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 615 people are unemployed in Lee County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Lee County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lee County, Iowa has fallen from 8.4% to 4.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lee County, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Iowa, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lee County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Lee County, Iowa?
Lee 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 $59,851, about 18% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Lee County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Iowa is $59,851.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lee County, Iowa was $59,851.
What was the median household income in Lee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lee County, Iowa was $52,334.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lee County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Lee County is 0.507. 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 Lee County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lee County, Iowa has narrowed from about 31% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $877 since 2009.