Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 70% 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 | Dent County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,184 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,082 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dent County is about 22% lower than in Missouri. Income has been growing faster in Dent County (5.3%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Dent 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 Dent County, Missouri grew by 57.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $54,184 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dent County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dent County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.518 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,182 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,948 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.0% | 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 Dent County, it is 0.518, 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 25% more than women's income in Dent County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $358,190 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dent County, Missouri has widened from about 14% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,776 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dent County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.9% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 270 people are unemployed in Dent County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Dent County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dent County, Missouri has fallen from 9.9% to 4.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dent 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 Dent County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Dent County, Missouri?
Dent 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 $54,184, about 22% lower than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Dent County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dent County, Missouri is $54,184.
What was the median household income in Dent County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dent County, Missouri was $54,184.
What was the median household income in Dent County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dent County, Missouri was $42,790.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dent County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Dent County is 0.518. 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 Dent County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dent County, Missouri has widened from about 14% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,776 since 2009.