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 | Douglas County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,541 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,117 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.9% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Douglas County is about 11% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing faster in Douglas County (4.8%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Douglas 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 Douglas County, Illinois grew by 54.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $73,541 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Douglas County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Douglas County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $61,232 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,786 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 30.1% | 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 Douglas County, it is 0.512, 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 43% more than women's income in Douglas County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 43% wage gap accumulates to roughly $645,610 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Douglas County, Illinois has narrowed from about 34% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,793 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Douglas County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.7% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 311 people are unemployed in Douglas County, Illinois.
The average commute time in Douglas County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Douglas County, Illinois has fallen from 6.8% to 3.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Douglas County, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Illinois, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Douglas County, Illinois.
How Rich Is Douglas County, Illinois?
Douglas 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 $73,541, about 11% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Douglas County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Douglas County, Illinois is $73,541.
What was the median household income in Douglas County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Douglas County, Illinois was $73,541.
What was the median household income in Douglas County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Douglas County, Illinois was $59,682.
What is the Gini coefficient in Douglas County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Douglas County is 0.512. 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 Douglas County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Douglas County, Illinois has narrowed from about 34% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,793 since 2009.