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 | Barry County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,792 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,590 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.0% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Barry County is about 18% lower than in Missouri. Income has been growing faster in Barry County (5.8%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Barry County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Missouri average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Barry County, Missouri grew by 54.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,792 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Barry County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Barry County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.542 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,075 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,205 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.1% | 21.2% | 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 Barry County, it is 0.542, about the same as Missouri's 0.543, 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 22% more than women's income in Barry County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $310,450 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barry County, Missouri has narrowed from about 26% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $203 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Barry County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 638 people are unemployed in Barry County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Barry County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Barry County, Missouri has fallen from 8.9% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Barry County, Missouri has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Missouri, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Barry County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Barry County, Missouri?
Barry 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 $56,792, about 18% lower than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Barry County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Barry County, Missouri is $56,792.
What was the median household income in Barry County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Barry County, Missouri was $56,792.
What was the median household income in Barry County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Barry County, Missouri was $46,012.
What is the Gini coefficient in Barry County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Barry County is 0.542. 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 Barry County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barry County, Missouri has narrowed from about 26% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $203 since 2009.