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 | Thomas County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,752 | $72,682 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,314 | $56,764 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.1% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Thomas County is about 1% higher than in Kansas. Income has been growing faster in Thomas County (5.4%/yr) than in Kansas (4.3%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Thomas County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Kansas average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Thomas County, Kansas grew by 76.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $73,752 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Thomas County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Thomas County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.539 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,701 | $63,363 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $34,109 | $49,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 46.5% | 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 Thomas County, it is 0.512, 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 87% more than women's income in Thomas County, Kansas. Over a 35-year career, a 87% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,035,720 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thomas County, Kansas has widened from about 33% to 46% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $16,991 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Thomas County | Kansas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.0% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 10.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 8 | 17 | 22 |
Approximately 6 people are unemployed in Thomas County, Kansas.
The average commute time in Thomas County is 8 minutes, shorter than the 17 minutes in Kansas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Thomas County, Kansas has fallen from 4.2% to 1.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Thomas 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 Thomas County, Kansas.
How Rich Is Thomas County, Kansas?
Thomas 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 $73,752, about 1% higher than the Kansas average of $72,682.
What is the current median household income in Thomas County, Kansas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Thomas County, Kansas is $73,752.
What was the median household income in Thomas County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Thomas County, Kansas was $73,752.
What was the median household income in Thomas County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Thomas County, Kansas was $66,957.
What is the Gini coefficient in Thomas County, Kansas?
The Gini coefficient in Thomas County is 0.512. 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 Thomas County, Kansas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thomas County, Kansas has widened from about 33% to 46% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $16,991 since 2009.