Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 80% of counties in Minnesota
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 | Blue Earth County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,321 | $88,383 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,769 | $67,709 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.8% | 14.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Blue Earth County is about 17% lower than in Minnesota. Income has been growing faster in Blue Earth County (4.9%/yr) than in Minnesota (4.8%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Blue Earth County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Minnesota average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota grew by 60.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $73,321 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Blue Earth County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Blue Earth County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.528 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $61,864 | $73,285 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $50,143 | $61,000 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.9% | 16.8% | 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 Blue Earth County, it is 0.528, higher than Minnesota's 0.520, 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 23% more than women's income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $410,235 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Blue Earth County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $633 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Blue Earth County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 15.9% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,664 people are unemployed in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
The average commute time in Blue Earth County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Minnesota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Blue Earth County, Minnesota has fallen from 6.5% to 4.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Blue Earth County, Minnesota has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Minnesota, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
How Rich Is Blue Earth County, Minnesota?
Blue Earth County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $73,321, about 17% lower than the Minnesota average of $88,383.
What is the current median household income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota is $73,321.
What was the median household income in Blue Earth County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota was $73,321.
What was the median household income in Blue Earth County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Blue Earth County, Minnesota was $61,413.
What is the Gini coefficient in Blue Earth County, Minnesota?
The Gini coefficient in Blue Earth County is 0.528. 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 Blue Earth County, Minnesota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Blue Earth County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 27% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $633 since 2009.