Wealth Index
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 | Otter Tail County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,689 | $88,383 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,135 | $67,709 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.9% | 14.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Otter Tail County is about 20% lower than in Minnesota. Income has been growing slower in Otter Tail County (4.0%/yr) than in Minnesota (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County, Minnesota grew by 65.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $70,689 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Otter Tail County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Otter Tail County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.492 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $64,153 | $73,285 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,779 | $61,000 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.4% | 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 Otter Tail County, it is 0.492, lower than Minnesota's 0.520, 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 29% more than women's income in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $503,090 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Otter Tail County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 28% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,232 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Otter Tail County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.9% | 15.9% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,526 people are unemployed in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
The average commute time in Otter Tail County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Minnesota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Otter Tail County, Minnesota has fallen from 6.0% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Otter Tail County, Minnesota has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Minnesota, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
How Wealthy Is Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
Otter Tail County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $70,689, about 20% lower than the Minnesota average of $88,383.
What is the current median household income in Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Otter Tail County, Minnesota is $70,689.
What was the median household income in Otter Tail County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Otter Tail County, Minnesota was $70,689.
What was the median household income in Otter Tail County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Otter Tail County, Minnesota was $59,573.
What is the Gini coefficient in Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
The Gini coefficient in Otter Tail County is 0.492. 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 Otter Tail County, Minnesota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Otter Tail County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 28% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,232 since 2009.