Fort Wayne, Indiana Income Statistics
Fort Wayne Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Fort Wayne Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,197 | $71,967 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,104 | $55,757 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.0% | 10.2% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.7% | 8.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fort Wayne is about 15% lower than in Indiana. Income has been growing slower in Fort Wayne (4.4%/yr) than in Indiana (4.5%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Fort Wayne earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Indiana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Fort Wayne, Indiana grew by 46.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $61,197 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Fort Wayne
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.517 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $55,974 | $65,086 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $46,184 | $51,220 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.5% | 21.3% | 18.4% |
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 Fort Wayne, it is 0.517, lower than Indiana's 0.534, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $342,650 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Wayne, Indiana has narrowed from about 22% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $827 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.8% | 10.7% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 7,421 people are unemployed in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The average commute time in Fort Wayne is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fort Wayne, Indiana has fallen from 10.2% to 5.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 11.3% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.6% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana.
How Rich Is Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Fort Wayne 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 $61,197, about 15% lower than the Indiana average of $71,967.
How fast is household income rising in Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Fort Wayne, Indiana rose 47%, from $41,716 to $61,197. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Indiana as a whole: +47% against +52%.
What was the median household income in Fort Wayne in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fort Wayne, Indiana was $59,531, up 3% from $57,554 in 2022. The Indiana median that year was $70,115.
What was the median household income in Fort Wayne in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fort Wayne, Indiana was $49,997. By 2024 it had risen 22% to $61,197.
Is unemployment high in Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Unemployment in Fort Wayne, Indiana is 5.9%, well above the Indiana rate of 4.3%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fort Wayne, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Fort Wayne is 0.517. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Wayne, Indiana has narrowed from about 22% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2020. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $827 since 2009.
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