Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 82% of counties in Kentucky
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 | Jackson County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $41,410 | $62,784 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,656 | $53,643 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.5% | 8.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jackson County is about 34% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing slower in Jackson County (4.2%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.9%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Jackson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Kentucky average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jackson County, Kentucky grew by 55.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $41,410 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jackson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jackson County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.556 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,554 | $59,736 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $36,155 | $47,402 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 32.5% | 20.6% | 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 Jackson County, it is 0.556, about the same as Kentucky's 0.554, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 48% more than women's income in Jackson County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 48% wage gap accumulates to roughly $608,965 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jackson County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 37% to 32% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,047 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jackson County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.1% | 9.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 32 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 264 people are unemployed in Jackson County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Jackson County is 32 minutes, longer than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jackson County, Kentucky has fallen from 13.4% to 5.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jackson County, Kentucky has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Kentucky, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jackson County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Jackson County, Kentucky?
Jackson 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 $41,410, about 34% lower than the Kentucky average of $62,784.
What is the current median household income in Jackson County, Kentucky?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jackson County, Kentucky is $41,410.
What was the median household income in Jackson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jackson County, Kentucky was $41,410.
What was the median household income in Jackson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jackson County, Kentucky was $31,676.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jackson County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Jackson County is 0.556. 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 Jackson County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jackson County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 37% to 32% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,047 since 2009.