Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 80% 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 | Starke County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,849 | $70,132 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,113 | $56,502 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.6% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Starke County is about 10% lower than in Indiana. Income has been growing faster in Starke County (5.4%/yr) than in Indiana (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Starke 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 Starke County, Indiana grew by 62.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,849 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Starke County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Starke County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.540 | 0.544 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,954 | $63,558 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,227 | $49,036 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 30.1% | 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 Starke County, it is 0.540, about the same as Indiana's 0.544, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 43% more than women's income in Starke County, Indiana. Over a 35-year career, a 43% wage gap accumulates to roughly $620,445 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Starke County, Indiana has widened from about 24% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,459 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Starke County | Indiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.3% | 9.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 340 people are unemployed in Starke County, Indiana.
The average commute time in Starke County is 27 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Indiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Starke County, Indiana has fallen from 13.6% to 3.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Starke 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 Starke County, Indiana.
How Rich Is Starke County, Indiana?
Starke 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 $62,849, about 10% lower than the Indiana average of $70,132.
What is the current median household income in Starke County, Indiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Starke County, Indiana is $62,849.
What was the median household income in Starke County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Starke County, Indiana was $62,849.
What was the median household income in Starke County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Starke County, Indiana was $49,649.
What is the Gini coefficient in Starke County, Indiana?
The Gini coefficient in Starke County is 0.540. 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 Starke County, Indiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Starke County, Indiana has widened from about 24% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,459 since 2009.