Wealth Index
Among the top 3 wealthiest counties in Massachusetts
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 | Middlesex County | Massachusetts Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $126,905 | $101,501 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $95,022 | $81,429 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 26.4% | 19.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Middlesex County is about 25% higher than in Massachusetts. Income has been growing slower in Middlesex County (5.1%/yr) than in Massachusetts (5.2%/yr).
About 26% of adults in Middlesex County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Massachusetts average of 20%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts grew by 64.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $126,905 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Middlesex County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Middlesex County | Massachusetts Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.544 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $104,918 | $89,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $85,280 | $73,171 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.7% | 17.8% | 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 Middlesex County, it is 0.544, lower than Massachusetts's 0.554, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 23% more than women's income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $687,330 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Middlesex County, Massachusetts has narrowed from about 22% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,308 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Middlesex County | Massachusetts Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 22.2% | 16.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 25 | 22 |
Approximately 39,716 people are unemployed in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
The average commute time in Middlesex County is 28 minutes, longer than the 25 minutes in Massachusetts.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Middlesex County, Massachusetts has fallen from 6.5% to 4.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Middlesex County, Massachusetts has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it somewhat better than Massachusetts, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
How Rich Is Middlesex County, Massachusetts?
Middlesex County has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $126,905, about 25% higher than the Massachusetts average of $101,501.
What is the current median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?
As of 2023, the median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts is $126,905.
What was the median household income in Middlesex County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts was $126,905.
What was the median household income in Middlesex County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Middlesex County, Massachusetts was $106,976.
What is the Gini coefficient in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?
The Gini coefficient in Middlesex County is 0.544. 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 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Middlesex County, Massachusetts?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Middlesex County, Massachusetts has narrowed from about 22% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,308 since 2009.