Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Riley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,413 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,072 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.5% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.7% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Riley County is about 18% lower than in Kansas. Income has been growing slower in Riley County (3.5%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Riley 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 Riley County, Kansas grew by 57.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,413 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Riley County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Riley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.577 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $44,762 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,686 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -2.1% | 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 Riley County, it is 0.577, higher than Kansas's 0.539, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 2% more than men's income in Riley County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 2% wage gap accumulates to roughly $32,340 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Riley County, Kansas has narrowed from about 22% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $9,278 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Riley County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.7% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 1,723 people are unemployed in Riley County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Riley County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Riley County, Kansas has risen from 3.9% to 4.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Riley 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 Riley County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Riley County, Kansas?
Riley 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 $59,413, about 18% lower than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Riley County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Riley County, Kansas is $59,413.
What was the median household income in Riley County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Riley County, Kansas was $59,413.
What was the median household income in Riley County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Riley County, Kansas was $51,180.
What is the Gini coefficient in Riley County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Riley County is 0.577. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Riley County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Riley County, Kansas has narrowed from about 22% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $9,278 since 2009.