Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in Illinois
- Kendall County (122% of U.S. avg)
- Monroe County (122% of U.S. avg)
- DuPage County (121% of U.S. avg)
- Pope County (75% of U.S. avg)
- Alexander County (76% of U.S. avg)
- Pulaski County (76% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Illinois | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Illinois is about 5% higher than in US. Income has been growing slower in Illinois (4.8%/yr) than in US (5.1%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Illinois earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the US average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Illinois grew by 48.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $82,179 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Illinois | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Illinois | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 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 Illinois, it is 0.567, about the same as US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $494,060 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Illinois has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,192 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Illinois | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 384,729 people are unemployed in Illinois.
The average commute time in Illinois is 23 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Illinois has fallen from 9.3% to 5.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Illinois.
How Wealthy Is Illinois?
Illinois 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 $82,179, about 5% higher than the US average of $78,145.
What is the current median household income in Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Illinois is $82,179.
What was the median household income in Illinois in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Illinois was $82,179.
What was the median household income in Illinois in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Illinois was $68,845.
What is the Gini coefficient in Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Illinois is 0.567. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Illinois has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,192 since 2009.