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 | Barber County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,633 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,093 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.3% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Barber County is about 21% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing slower in Barber County (2.3%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Barber County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Kansas average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Barber County, Kansas grew by 50.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,633 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Barber County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Barber County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.543 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $61,779 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,763 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 34.0% | 21.4% | 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 Barber County, it is 0.543, about the same as Kansas's 0.539, 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 52% more than women's income in Barber County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 52% wage gap accumulates to roughly $735,560 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barber County, Kansas has narrowed from about 39% to 34% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,971 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Barber County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 2.8% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 10 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 49 people are unemployed in Barber County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Barber County is 10 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Barber County, Kansas has risen from 1.1% to 2.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Barber County, Kansas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Kansas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Barber County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Barber County, Kansas?
Barber 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 $57,633, about 21% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Barber County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Barber County, Kansas is $57,633.
What was the median household income in Barber County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Barber County, Kansas was $57,633.
What was the median household income in Barber County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Barber County, Kansas was $49,793.
What is the Gini coefficient in Barber County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Barber County is 0.543. 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 Barber County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barber County, Kansas has narrowed from about 39% to 34% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,971 since 2009.