Wealth Index
Wealthier than 87% 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 | Ness County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,276 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,267 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Ness County is about 5% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing faster in Ness County (5.8%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Ness County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Kansas average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Ness County, Kansas grew by 59.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,276 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Ness County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Ness County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.521 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,140 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,291 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.9% | 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 Ness County, it is 0.521, 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 43% more than women's income in Ness County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 43% wage gap accumulates to roughly $659,715 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ness County, Kansas has narrowed from about 35% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,562 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Ness County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.0% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.3% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 15 people are unemployed in Ness County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Ness County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Ness County, Kansas has fallen from 2.3% to 1.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Ness County, Kansas has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Kansas, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Ness County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Ness County, Kansas?
Ness County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $69,276, about 5% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Ness County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Ness County, Kansas is $69,276.
What was the median household income in Ness County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Ness County, Kansas was $69,276.
What was the median household income in Ness County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Ness County, Kansas was $55,135.
What is the Gini coefficient in Ness County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Ness County is 0.521. 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 Ness County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Ness County, Kansas has narrowed from about 35% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,562 since 2009.