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 | Cooper County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,465 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,795 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cooper County is about 2% lower than in Missouri. Income has been growing faster in Cooper County (6.1%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Cooper 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 Cooper County, Missouri grew by 64.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,465 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cooper County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cooper County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.550 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,356 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,081 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.1% | 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 Cooper County, it is 0.550, higher than Missouri's 0.543, 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 30% more than women's income in Cooper County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $464,625 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cooper County, Missouri has widened from about 22% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,568 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cooper County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.9% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 350 people are unemployed in Cooper County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Cooper County is 23 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cooper County, Missouri has fallen from 9.0% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cooper County, Missouri has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Missouri, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cooper County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Cooper County, Missouri?
Cooper 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 $67,465, about 2% lower than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Cooper County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cooper County, Missouri is $67,465.
What was the median household income in Cooper County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cooper County, Missouri was $67,465.
What was the median household income in Cooper County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cooper County, Missouri was $53,338.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cooper County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Cooper County is 0.550. 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 Cooper County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cooper County, Missouri has widened from about 22% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,568 since 2009.