Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 76% of counties in Louisiana
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 | Washington Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,974 | $60,029 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,773 | $54,233 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.6% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Washington Parish is about 28% lower than in Louisiana. Income has been growing faster in Washington Parish (4.6%/yr) than in Louisiana (4.0%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Washington 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 Washington Parish, Louisiana grew by 41.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $42,974 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Washington Parish | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Washington Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.571 | 0.586 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,176 | $63,825 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $36,369 | $46,053 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 32.9% | 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 Washington Parish, it is 0.571, lower than Louisiana's 0.586, so income is more 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 49% more than women's income in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Over a 35-year career, a 49% wage gap accumulates to roughly $623,245 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 Parish, Louisiana has widened from about 30% to 33% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,726 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Washington Parish | Louisiana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.9% | 7.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,954 people are unemployed in Washington Parish, Louisiana.
The average commute time in Washington Parish is 21 minutes, about the same as in Louisiana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Washington Parish, Louisiana has fallen from 15.5% to 10.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Washington Parish, Louisiana has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Louisiana, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Washington Parish, Louisiana.
How Rich Is Washington Parish, Louisiana?
Washington 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 $42,974, about 28% lower than the Louisiana average of $60,029.
What is the current median household income in Washington Parish, Louisiana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Washington Parish, Louisiana is $42,974.
What was the median household income in Washington Parish in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Washington Parish, Louisiana was $42,974.
What was the median household income in Washington Parish in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Washington Parish, Louisiana was $39,378.
What is the Gini coefficient in Washington Parish, Louisiana?
The Gini coefficient in Washington Parish is 0.571. 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 Washington Parish, Louisiana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington Parish, Louisiana has widened from about 30% to 33% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,726 since 2009.