Wealth Index
Wealthier than 89% 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 | Putnam County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,442 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,337 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.6% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.2% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Putnam County is about 7% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in Putnam County (2.6%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Putnam 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 Putnam County, Illinois grew by 41.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $76,442 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Putnam County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Putnam County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.496 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $76,419 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,470 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 39.2% | 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 Putnam County, it is 0.496, 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 64% more than women's income in Putnam County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 64% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,048,215 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Putnam County, Illinois has widened from about 34% to 39% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,356 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Putnam County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.8% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 97 people are unemployed in Putnam County, Illinois.
The average commute time in Putnam County is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Putnam County, Illinois has fallen from 10.2% to 3.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Putnam County, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Illinois, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Putnam County, Illinois.
How Rich Is Putnam County, Illinois?
Putnam County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $76,442, about 7% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Putnam County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Putnam County, Illinois is $76,442.
What was the median household income in Putnam County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Putnam County, Illinois was $76,442.
What was the median household income in Putnam County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Putnam County, Illinois was $64,885.
What is the Gini coefficient in Putnam County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Putnam County is 0.496. 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 Putnam County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Putnam County, Illinois has widened from about 34% to 39% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,356 since 2009.