Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy counties in Idaho
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 | Custer County | Idaho Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,384 | $74,676 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,805 | $54,802 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.1% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.5% | 9.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Custer County is about 23% lower than in Idaho. Income has been growing slower in Custer County (6.1%/yr) than in Idaho (6.2%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Custer County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Idaho average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Custer County, Idaho grew by 35.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,384 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Custer County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Custer County | Idaho Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.553 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $42,324 | $61,839 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,278 | $46,302 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -21.2% | 25.1% | 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 Custer County, it is 0.540, lower than Idaho's 0.553, 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.
Women's income is about 21% more than men's income in Custer County, Idaho. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $313,390 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Custer County, Idaho has narrowed from about 46% to -21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $32,607 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Custer County | Idaho Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 25.0% | 12.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 10 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 41 people are unemployed in Custer County, Idaho.
The average commute time in Custer County is 10 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Idaho.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Custer County, Idaho has fallen from 6.2% to 2.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Custer County, Idaho has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Idaho, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Custer County, Idaho.
How Rich Is Custer County, Idaho?
Custer 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 $57,384, about 23% lower than the Idaho average of $74,676.
What is the current median household income in Custer County, Idaho?
As of 2023, the median household income in Custer County, Idaho is $57,384.
What was the median household income in Custer County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Custer County, Idaho was $57,384.
What was the median household income in Custer County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Custer County, Idaho was $44,827.
What is the Gini coefficient in Custer County, Idaho?
The Gini coefficient in Custer County is 0.540. 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 Custer County, Idaho?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Custer County, Idaho has narrowed from about 46% to -21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $32,607 since 2009.