Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 83% 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 | St. Louis County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,630 | $88,383 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $61,236 | $67,709 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.2% | 14.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in St. Louis County is about 21% lower than in Minnesota. Income has been growing faster in St. Louis County (5.0%/yr) than in Minnesota (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, Minnesota grew by 58.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,630 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in St. Louis County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | St. Louis County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.520 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $68,850 | $73,285 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $53,030 | $61,000 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.0% | 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 St. Louis County, it is 0.520, about the same as Minnesota's 0.520, 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 30% more than women's income in St. Louis County, Minnesota. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $553,700 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in St. Louis County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 33% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $144 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | St. Louis County | Minnesota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.9% | 15.9% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 4,560 people are unemployed in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
The average commute time in St. Louis County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Minnesota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in St. Louis County, Minnesota has fallen from 8.3% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, Minnesota.
How Rich Is St. Louis County, Minnesota?
St. Louis 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 $69,630, about 21% lower than the Minnesota average of $88,383.
What is the current median household income in St. Louis County, Minnesota?
As of 2023, the median household income in St. Louis County, Minnesota is $69,630.
What was the median household income in St. Louis County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in St. Louis County, Minnesota was $69,630.
What was the median household income in St. Louis County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in St. Louis County, Minnesota was $57,387.
What is the Gini coefficient in St. Louis County, Minnesota?
The Gini coefficient in St. Louis County is 0.520. 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 St. Louis County, Minnesota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in St. Louis County, Minnesota has narrowed from about 33% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $144 since 2009.