Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 77% 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 | Union County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,158 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,382 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.2% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Union County is about 32% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in Union County (3.1%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Union 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 Union County, Illinois grew by 47.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,158 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Union County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Union County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.524 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,240 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $50,633 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 8.3% | 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 Union County, it is 0.524, 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 9% more than women's income in Union County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 9% wage gap accumulates to roughly $161,245 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Union County, Illinois has narrowed from about 15% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $889 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Union County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.6% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 368 people are unemployed in Union County, Illinois.
The average commute time in Union County is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Union County, Illinois has fallen from 10.2% to 5.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Union 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 Union County, Illinois.
How Wealthy Is Union County, Illinois?
Union 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 $56,158, about 32% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Union County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Union County, Illinois is $56,158.
What was the median household income in Union County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Union County, Illinois was $56,158.
What was the median household income in Union County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Union County, Illinois was $52,580.
What is the Gini coefficient in Union County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Union County is 0.524. 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 Union County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Union County, Illinois has narrowed from about 15% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $889 since 2009.