Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 95% 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 | Van Buren County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $60,268 | $73,286 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,751 | $58,328 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.8% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.4% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Van Buren County is about 18% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Van Buren County (3.8%/yr) than in Iowa (4.2%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, Iowa grew by 42.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $60,268 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Van Buren County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Van Buren County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.501 | 0.518 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,743 | $64,701 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,513 | $50,787 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.3% | 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 Van Buren County, it is 0.501, 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 14% more than women's income in Van Buren County, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $253,050 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Van Buren County, Iowa has narrowed from about 19% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $615 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Van Buren County | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.7% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 140 people are unemployed in Van Buren County, Iowa.
The average commute time in Van Buren County is 20 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Van Buren County, Iowa has fallen from 8.9% to 4.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, Iowa.
How Rich Is Van Buren County, Iowa?
Van Buren 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 $60,268, about 18% lower than the Iowa average of $73,286.
What is the current median household income in Van Buren County, Iowa?
As of 2023, the median household income in Van Buren County, Iowa is $60,268.
What was the median household income in Van Buren County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Van Buren County, Iowa was $60,268.
What was the median household income in Van Buren County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Van Buren County, Iowa was $49,857.
What is the Gini coefficient in Van Buren County, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Van Buren County is 0.501. 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 Van Buren County, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Van Buren County, Iowa has narrowed from about 19% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $615 since 2009.