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 | Stephenson County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,423 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,131 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.3% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Stephenson County is about 24% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in Stephenson County (4.6%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, Illinois grew by 43.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,423 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Stephenson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Stephenson County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.507 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,748 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,862 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.9% | 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 Stephenson County, it is 0.507, 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 28% more than women's income in Stephenson County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $451,010 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Stephenson County, Illinois has narrowed from about 31% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,266 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Stephenson County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.2% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,007 people are unemployed in Stephenson County, Illinois.
The average commute time in Stephenson County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Stephenson County, Illinois has fallen from 10.4% to 4.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, Illinois.
How Rich Is Stephenson County, Illinois?
Stephenson 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 $62,423, about 24% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Stephenson County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Stephenson County, Illinois is $62,423.
What was the median household income in Stephenson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Stephenson County, Illinois was $62,423.
What was the median household income in Stephenson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Stephenson County, Illinois was $50,458.
What is the Gini coefficient in Stephenson County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Stephenson County is 0.507. 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 Stephenson County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Stephenson County, Illinois has narrowed from about 31% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,266 since 2009.