Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 93% of counties in Kansas
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 | Cherokee County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,193 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,841 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.8% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cherokee County is about 20% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing faster in Cherokee County (5.0%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, Kansas grew by 57.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $58,193 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cherokee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cherokee County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.513 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,675 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,048 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.5% | 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 Cherokee County, it is 0.513, 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 29% more than women's income in Cherokee County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $406,945 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cherokee County, Kansas has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,819 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cherokee County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.0% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 336 people are unemployed in Cherokee County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Cherokee County is 20 minutes, longer than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cherokee County, Kansas has fallen from 5.5% to 3.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cherokee County, Kansas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Kansas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cherokee County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Cherokee County, Kansas?
Cherokee County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $58,193, about 20% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Cherokee County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cherokee County, Kansas is $58,193.
What was the median household income in Cherokee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cherokee County, Kansas was $58,193.
What was the median household income in Cherokee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cherokee County, Kansas was $41,965.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cherokee County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Cherokee County is 0.513. 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 Cherokee County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cherokee County, Kansas has narrowed from about 25% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,819 since 2009.