Wealth Index
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 | Darien | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $103,444 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $72,829 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 19.6% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Darien is about 26% higher than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in Darien (3.8%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 20% of adults in Darien earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Illinois average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Darien, Illinois grew by 50.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $103,444 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Darien | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Darien | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.545 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $80,630 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $64,047 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.6% | 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 Darien, it is 0.545, lower than Illinois's 0.567, 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 Darien, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $580,405 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Darien, Illinois has narrowed from about 27% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $861 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Darien | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 18.1% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 475 people are unemployed in Darien, Illinois.
The average commute time in Darien is 25 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Darien, Illinois has fallen from 8.6% to 4.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Darien, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it somewhat better than Illinois, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Darien, IL Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
Darien, IL is the smallest of the 4 cities compared here, 21,280 residents against a local median of 31,506. There is no headline here. Every measure below sits within 15% of the median across the nearest cities, which makes Darien, IL an unremarkable member of its own neighbourhood rather than an outlier in it.
The largest of those small differences is unemployment, 7% below the local median at 4.2% against 4.5%. Darien, IL has the 2nd lowest unemployment of the 4 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Unemployment | Income inequality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darien, IL | 21,280 | $103,444 #2/4 | 4.2% #2/4 | 0.5 #3/4 |
| Westmont, IL | 23,160 | $101,909 | 3.5% | 0.6 |
| Woodridge, IL | 31,506 | $99,748 | 4.6% | 0.5 |
| Downers Grove, IL | 50,363 | $112,966 | 4.5% | 0.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Darien, Illinois.
How Rich Is Darien, Illinois?
Darien has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $103,444, about 26% higher than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Darien, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Darien, Illinois is $103,444.
What was the median household income in Darien in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Darien, Illinois was $103,444.
What was the median household income in Darien in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Darien, Illinois was $93,127.
What is the Gini coefficient in Darien, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Darien is 0.545. 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 Darien, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Darien, Illinois has narrowed from about 27% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $861 since 2009.