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 | Mason County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $51,978 | $62,784 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,849 | $53,643 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.1% | 8.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Mason County is about 17% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing slower in Mason County (4.4%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.9%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Mason 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 Mason County, Kentucky grew by 39.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $51,978 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Mason County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Mason County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.568 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,869 | $59,736 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $36,462 | $47,402 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 37.0% | 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 Mason County, it is 0.568, higher than Kentucky's 0.554, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 59% more than women's income in Mason County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 59% wage gap accumulates to roughly $749,245 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mason County, Kentucky has widened from about 34% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,279 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Mason County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 9.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 365 people are unemployed in Mason County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Mason County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Mason County, Kentucky has fallen from 9.6% to 4.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Mason County, Kentucky has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Kentucky, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Mason County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Mason County, Kentucky?
Mason 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 $51,978, about 17% lower than the Kentucky average of $62,784.
What is the current median household income in Mason County, Kentucky?
As of 2023, the median household income in Mason County, Kentucky is $51,978.
What was the median household income in Mason County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Mason County, Kentucky was $51,978.
What was the median household income in Mason County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Mason County, Kentucky was $46,582.
What is the Gini coefficient in Mason County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Mason County is 0.568. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Mason County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mason County, Kentucky has widened from about 34% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,279 since 2009.