Wealth Index
Wealthier 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 | Mercer County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,022 | $62,784 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,343 | $53,643 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 8.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Mercer County is about 2% higher than in Kentucky. Income has been growing slower in Mercer County (4.9%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.9%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Mercer 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 Mercer County, Kentucky grew by 45.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $64,022 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Mercer County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Mercer County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.527 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,710 | $59,736 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,666 | $47,402 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 1.9% | 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 Mercer County, it is 0.527, lower than Kentucky's 0.554, 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 2% more than women's income in Mercer County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 2% wage gap accumulates to roughly $36,540 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mercer County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 20% to 2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,342 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Mercer County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.8% | 9.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 301 people are unemployed in Mercer County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Mercer County is 21 minutes, longer than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Mercer County, Kentucky has fallen from 11.0% to 2.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Mercer County, Kentucky has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than Kentucky, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Mercer County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Mercer County, Kentucky?
Mercer 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 $64,022, about 2% higher than the Kentucky average of $62,784.
What is the current median household income in Mercer County, Kentucky?
As of 2023, the median household income in Mercer County, Kentucky is $64,022.
What was the median household income in Mercer County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Mercer County, Kentucky was $64,022.
What was the median household income in Mercer County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Mercer County, Kentucky was $53,288.
What is the Gini coefficient in Mercer County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Mercer County is 0.527. 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 Mercer County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mercer County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 20% to 2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,342 since 2009.