Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 88% 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 | Cowley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,856 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,712 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cowley County is about 20% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing slower in Cowley County (3.7%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Cowley 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 Cowley County, Kansas grew by 43.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,856 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cowley County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cowley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.532 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,589 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,791 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.6% | 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 Cowley County, it is 0.532, 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 28% more than women's income in Cowley County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $412,930 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cowley County, Kansas has narrowed from about 29% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $106 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cowley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.8% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 797 people are unemployed in Cowley County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Cowley County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cowley County, Kansas has fallen from 7.3% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cowley 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 Cowley County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Cowley County, Kansas?
Cowley 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 $57,856, about 20% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Cowley County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cowley County, Kansas is $57,856.
What was the median household income in Cowley County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cowley County, Kansas was $57,856.
What was the median household income in Cowley County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cowley County, Kansas was $50,865.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cowley County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Cowley County is 0.532. 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 Cowley County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cowley County, Kansas has narrowed from about 29% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $106 since 2009.