Wealth Index
Wealthier than 78% of counties in Missouri
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 | Bates County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,850 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,614 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.8% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bates County is about 18% lower than in Missouri. Income has been growing slower in Bates County (4.8%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Bates 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 Bates County, Missouri grew by 45.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,850 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bates County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bates County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.514 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,852 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $39,058 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.5% | 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 Bates County, it is 0.514, lower than Missouri's 0.543, 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 38% more than women's income in Bates County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 38% wage gap accumulates to roughly $517,790 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bates County, Missouri has widened from about 13% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,194 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bates County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.9% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 452 people are unemployed in Bates County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Bates County is 30 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bates County, Missouri has fallen from 8.3% to 6.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bates County, Missouri has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Missouri, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bates County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Bates County, Missouri?
Bates 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 $56,850, about 18% lower than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Bates County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bates County, Missouri is $56,850.
What was the median household income in Bates County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bates County, Missouri was $56,850.
What was the median household income in Bates County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bates County, Missouri was $46,500.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bates County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Bates County is 0.514. 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 Bates County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bates County, Missouri has widened from about 13% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,194 since 2009.