Owensboro, Kentucky Income Statistics
Owensboro Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Owensboro Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Owensboro | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,535 | $64,312 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,028 | $52,849 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.9% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.5% | 8.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.6% | 7.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Owensboro is about 12% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing faster in Owensboro (4.9%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Owensboro earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Kentucky average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Owensboro, Kentucky grew by 63.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $56,535 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Owensboro
| Metric | Owensboro | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.545 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $54,516 | $60,966 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $44,804 | $49,119 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.8% | 19.4% | 18.4% |
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 Owensboro, it is 0.545, about the same as Kentucky's 0.547, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Owensboro, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $339,920 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Owensboro, Kentucky has narrowed from about 29% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,082 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Owensboro | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 10.2% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,191 people are unemployed in Owensboro, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Owensboro is 13 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Owensboro, Kentucky has fallen from 7.9% to 5.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 8.6% in 2013 and fell as low as 4.3% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, Kentucky.
How Wealthy Is Owensboro, Kentucky?
Owensboro 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 $56,535, about 12% lower than the Kentucky average of $64,312.
How has median household income changed in Owensboro, Kentucky?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Owensboro, Kentucky rose 64%, from $34,489 to $56,535. Over the same years, income here outpaced Kentucky as a whole: +64% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Owensboro in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Owensboro, Kentucky was $54,670, up 4% from $52,379 in 2022. The Kentucky median that year was $62,783.
What was the median household income in Owensboro in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Owensboro, Kentucky was $46,811. By 2024 it had risen 21% to $56,535.
What is the Gini coefficient in Owensboro, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Owensboro is 0.545. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Owensboro, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Owensboro, Kentucky has narrowed from about 29% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 32% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,082 since 2009.
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