Washington County, Kentucky Income Statistics
Washington County Wealth Score
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.
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C
Washington County Below averageWealthier than 87% of counties in Kentucky
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Washington County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,907 | $64,312 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,177 | $52,849 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.8% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.5% | 8.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 5.4% | 7.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Washington County is about 4% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing faster in Washington County (4.8%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Washington County 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 Washington County, Kentucky grew by 45.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $61,907 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Washington County
| Metric | Washington County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.519 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $60,251 | $60,966 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $41,987 | $49,119 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 30.3% | 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 Washington County, it is 0.519, lower than Kentucky's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 43% more than women's income in Washington County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 43% wage gap accumulates to roughly $639,240 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, Kentucky has widened from about 25% to 30% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2012, and was narrowest at 13% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,504 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Washington County widened by 5.4 points while Kentucky's narrowed by 5.2 points.
Employment
| Metric | Washington County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.8% | 10.2% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 192 people are unemployed in Washington County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Washington County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Washington County, Kentucky has fallen from 10.0% to 3.4% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.3% in 2012 and fell as low as 2.3% in 2022.
Washington County, KY Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Washington County, KY is the smallest of the 6 counties compared here, 12,140 residents against a local median of 23,027. The measure that sets Washington County, KY apart most is unemployment: 3.4%, 19% below the local median of 4.2%. That is the better end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 2.7% on unemployment, so Washington County, KY sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Washington County, KY has the 3rd lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County, KY | 12,140 | $61,907 #5/6 | 4.8%/yr #3/6 | 3.4% #3/6 | 0.519 #4/6 |
| Marion County, KY | 19,749 | $59,648 | 5.1%/yr | 4.2% | 0.526 |
| Nelson County, KY | 47,606 | $69,485 | 3.7%/yr | 3.3% | 0.505 |
| Mercer County, KY | 23,027 | $66,328 | 4.7%/yr | 4.3% | 0.512 |
| Anderson County, KY | 24,353 | $74,458 | 4.3%/yr | 2.2% | 0.508 |
| Spencer County, KY | 20,193 | $100,880 | 5.4%/yr | 5.0% | 0.521 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Washington 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 Washington County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Washington County, Kentucky?
Washington 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 $61,907, about 4% lower than the Kentucky average of $64,312.
How has median household income changed in Washington County, Kentucky?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Washington County, Kentucky rose 46%, from $42,481 to $61,907. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Kentucky as a whole: +46% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Washington County, Kentucky was $59,633, down 9% from $65,503 in 2022. The Kentucky median that year was $62,783.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Washington County, Kentucky was $55,173. By 2024 it had risen 12% to $61,907.
Is it hard to find a job in Washington County, Kentucky?
Unemployment in Washington County, Kentucky is only 3.4%, well below the Kentucky rate of 4.8%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Washington County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Washington County is 0.519. 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 Washington County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, Kentucky has widened from about 25% to 30% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 36% in 2012, and was narrowest at 13% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,504 since 2009.
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