Wealth Index
Least wealthy county in Michigan
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 | Alger County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,225 | $71,353 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,941 | $60,704 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.5% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Alger County is about 17% lower than in Michigan. Income has been growing faster in Alger County (5.3%/yr) than in Michigan (4.9%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Alger County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Michigan average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Alger County, Michigan grew by 43.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,225 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Alger County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Alger County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.561 | 0.556 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,893 | $67,497 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,718 | $52,846 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.3% | 21.7% | 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 Alger County, it is 0.561, higher than Michigan's 0.556, so income is less 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 26% more than women's income in Alger County, Michigan. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $426,125 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Alger County, Michigan has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,471 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Alger County | Michigan Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.6% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 197 people are unemployed in Alger County, Michigan.
The average commute time in Alger County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Michigan.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Alger County, Michigan has fallen from 13.5% to 6.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Alger County, Michigan has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Michigan, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Alger County, Michigan.
How Wealthy Is Alger County, Michigan?
Alger 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 $59,225, about 17% lower than the Michigan average of $71,353.
What is the current median household income in Alger County, Michigan?
As of 2023, the median household income in Alger County, Michigan is $59,225.
What was the median household income in Alger County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Alger County, Michigan was $59,225.
What was the median household income in Alger County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Alger County, Michigan was $45,257.
What is the Gini coefficient in Alger County, Michigan?
The Gini coefficient in Alger County is 0.561. 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 Alger County, Michigan?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Alger County, Michigan has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,471 since 2009.