Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 79% of counties in Indiana
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 | Jay County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,580 | $70,132 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,710 | $56,502 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.7% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jay County is about 21% lower than in Indiana. Income has been growing slower in Jay County (4.1%/yr) than in Indiana (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Jay 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 Jay County, Indiana grew by 45.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,580 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jay County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jay County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.495 | 0.544 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,018 | $63,558 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,158 | $49,036 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.1% | 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 Jay County, it is 0.495, 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 22% more than women's income in Jay County, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $310,100 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jay County, Indiana has narrowed from about 29% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,112 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jay County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.3% | 9.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 351 people are unemployed in Jay County, Indiana.
The average commute time in Jay County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jay County, Indiana has fallen from 9.8% to 3.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jay 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 Jay County, Indiana.
How Rich Is Jay County, Indiana?
Jay 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 $55,580, about 21% lower than the Indiana average of $70,132.
What is the current median household income in Jay County, Indiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jay County, Indiana is $55,580.
What was the median household income in Jay County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jay County, Indiana was $55,580.
What was the median household income in Jay County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jay County, Indiana was $45,976.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jay County, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Jay County is 0.495. 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 Jay County, Indiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jay County, Indiana has narrowed from about 29% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,112 since 2009.