Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 95% of counties in Illinois
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 | Brown County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,437 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,799 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.4% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Brown County is about 12% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in Brown County (4.6%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Brown County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Illinois average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Brown County, Illinois grew by 111.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $72,437 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Brown County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Brown County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.609 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,361 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,327 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.8% | 19.6% | 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 Brown County, it is 0.609, higher than Illinois's 0.567, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 17% more than women's income in Brown County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $281,190 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brown County, Illinois has widened from about 10% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,657 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Brown County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 50 people are unemployed in Brown County, Illinois.
The average commute time in Brown County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Brown County, Illinois has fallen from 7.2% to 2.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Brown County, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Illinois, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Brown County, Illinois.
How Rich Is Brown County, Illinois?
Brown 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 $72,437, about 12% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Brown County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Brown County, Illinois is $72,437.
What was the median household income in Brown County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Brown County, Illinois was $72,437.
What was the median household income in Brown County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Brown County, Illinois was $60,584.
What is the Gini coefficient in Brown County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Brown County is 0.609. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Brown County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brown County, Illinois has widened from about 10% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,657 since 2009.