Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy counties in Maine
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 | Aroostook County | Maine Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,230 | $72,025 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,769 | $59,309 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.1% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.5% | 10.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Aroostook County is about 25% lower than in Maine. Income has been growing faster in Aroostook County (5.1%/yr) than in Maine (5.1%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Aroostook County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Maine average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Aroostook County, Maine grew by 53.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $54,230 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Aroostook County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Aroostook County | Maine Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.518 | 0.519 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,764 | $64,651 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,472 | $53,280 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.2% | 17.6% | 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 Aroostook County, it is 0.518, about the same as Maine's 0.519, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Aroostook County, Maine. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $395,220 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Aroostook County, Maine has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $907 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Aroostook County | Maine Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.1% | 14.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,629 people are unemployed in Aroostook County, Maine.
The average commute time in Aroostook County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Maine.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Aroostook County, Maine has fallen from 6.7% to 5.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Aroostook County, Maine has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Maine, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Aroostook County, Maine.
How Wealthy Is Aroostook County, Maine?
Aroostook County 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 $54,230, about 25% lower than the Maine average of $72,025.
What is the current median household income in Aroostook County, Maine?
As of 2023, the median household income in Aroostook County, Maine is $54,230.
What was the median household income in Aroostook County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Aroostook County, Maine was $54,230.
What was the median household income in Aroostook County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Aroostook County, Maine was $43,912.
What is the Gini coefficient in Aroostook County, Maine?
The Gini coefficient in Aroostook County is 0.518. 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 Aroostook County, Maine?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Aroostook County, Maine has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $907 since 2009.