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 | St. Helena Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,182 | $60,029 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $38,819 | $54,233 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 4.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.9% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in St. Helena Parish is about 16% lower than in Louisiana. Income has been growing faster in St. Helena Parish (5.0%/yr) than in Louisiana (4.0%/yr).
About 4% of adults in St. Helena Parish earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Louisiana average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana grew by 74.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $50,182 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in St. Helena Parish | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | St. Helena Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.615 | 0.586 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,904 | $63,825 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $36,896 | $46,053 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.3% | 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 St. Helena Parish, it is 0.615, 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 27% more than women's income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 27% wage gap accumulates to roughly $350,280 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana has narrowed from about 23% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,142 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | St. Helena Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 20.0% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 1.6% | 7.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 32 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,044 people are unemployed in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.
The average commute time in St. Helena Parish is 32 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana has risen from 12.8% to 20.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, St. Helena 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 St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.
How Rich Is St. Helena Parish, Louisiana?
St. Helena 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 $50,182, about 16% lower than the Louisiana average of $60,029.
What is the current median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana is $50,182.
What was the median household income in St. Helena Parish in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana was $50,182.
What was the median household income in St. Helena Parish in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana was $45,124.
What is the Gini coefficient in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in St. Helena Parish is 0.615. 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 St. Helena Parish, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana has narrowed from about 23% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,142 since 2009.