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 | Barton County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,334 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,271 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.5% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Barton County is about 22% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing slower in Barton County (3.5%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Barton 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 Barton County, Kansas grew by 34.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,334 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Barton County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Barton County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.514 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,767 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,766 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.1% | 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 Barton County, it is 0.514, lower than Kansas's 0.539, 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 34% more than women's income in Barton County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 34% wage gap accumulates to roughly $490,035 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barton County, Kansas has narrowed from about 32% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,741 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Barton County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.5% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 411 people are unemployed in Barton County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Barton County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Barton County, Kansas has fallen from 5.6% to 3.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Barton 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 Barton County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Barton County, Kansas?
Barton 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 $56,334, about 22% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Barton County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Barton County, Kansas is $56,334.
What was the median household income in Barton County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Barton County, Kansas was $56,334.
What was the median household income in Barton County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Barton County, Kansas was $48,814.
What is the Gini coefficient in Barton County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Barton County is 0.514. 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 Barton County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barton County, Kansas has narrowed from about 32% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,741 since 2009.