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 | Orleans Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,370 | $60,029 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,252 | $54,233 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 4.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.5% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Orleans Parish is about 8% lower than in Louisiana. Income has been growing faster in Orleans Parish (5.6%/yr) than in Louisiana (4.0%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Orleans Parish earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Louisiana average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana grew by 52.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,370 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Orleans Parish | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Orleans Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.597 | 0.586 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,580 | $63,825 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,889 | $46,053 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.4% | 27.8% | 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 Orleans Parish, it is 0.597, higher than Louisiana's 0.586, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 23% more than women's income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $409,185 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Orleans Parish, Louisiana has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,673 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Orleans Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.7% | 7.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 14,798 people are unemployed in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
The average commute time in Orleans Parish is 20 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Orleans Parish, Louisiana has fallen from 11.4% to 7.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Orleans Parish, Louisiana has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Louisiana, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
How Wealthy Is Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
Orleans Parish 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 $55,370, about 8% lower than the Louisiana average of $60,029.
What is the current median household income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana is $55,370.
What was the median household income in Orleans Parish in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana was $55,370.
What was the median household income in Orleans Parish in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Orleans Parish, Louisiana was $43,476.
What is the Gini coefficient in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in Orleans Parish is 0.597. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Orleans Parish, Louisiana has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,673 since 2009.