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 | Benton County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,630 | $70,132 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,782 | $56,502 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.2% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Benton County is about 11% lower than in Indiana. Income has been growing slower in Benton County (3.9%/yr) than in Indiana (4.8%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Benton County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Indiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Benton County, Indiana grew by 37.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,630 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Benton County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Benton County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.508 | 0.544 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,009 | $63,558 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,759 | $49,036 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.8% | 22.8% | 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 Benton County, it is 0.508, lower than Indiana's 0.544, 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 35% more than women's income in Benton County, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 35% wage gap accumulates to roughly $533,750 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Benton County, Indiana has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 26%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,970 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Benton County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.8% | 9.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 148 people are unemployed in Benton County, Indiana.
The average commute time in Benton County is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Benton County, Indiana has fallen from 7.9% to 3.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Benton County, Indiana has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Indiana, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Benton County, Indiana.
How Rich Is Benton County, Indiana?
Benton 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 $62,630, about 11% lower than the Indiana average of $70,132.
What is the current median household income in Benton County, Indiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Benton County, Indiana is $62,630.
What was the median household income in Benton County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Benton County, Indiana was $62,630.
What was the median household income in Benton County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Benton County, Indiana was $52,241.
What is the Gini coefficient in Benton County, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Benton County is 0.508. 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 Benton County, Indiana?
The income gap between men and women in Benton County, Indiana has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 26%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,970 since 2009.