Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 77% 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 | Pike County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,650 | $62,784 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,243 | $53,643 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.8% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.3% | 8.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Pike County is about 32% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing slower in Pike County (3.8%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.9%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Pike 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 Pike County, Kentucky grew by 27.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $42,650 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Pike County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Pike County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.568 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,745 | $59,736 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,593 | $47,402 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 8.5% | 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 Pike 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 9% more than women's income in Pike County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 9% wage gap accumulates to roughly $145,320 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pike County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 35% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $11,416 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Pike County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.5% | 9.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,258 people are unemployed in Pike County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Pike County is 20 minutes, about the same as in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Pike County, Kentucky has fallen from 8.1% to 6.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Pike 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 Pike County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Pike County, Kentucky?
Pike 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 $42,650, about 32% lower than the Kentucky average of $62,784.
What is the current median household income in Pike County, Kentucky?
As of 2023, the median household income in Pike County, Kentucky is $42,650.
What was the median household income in Pike County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Pike County, Kentucky was $42,650.
What was the median household income in Pike County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Pike County, Kentucky was $34,667.
What is the Gini coefficient in Pike County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Pike 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 Pike County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pike County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 35% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $11,416 since 2009.