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 | Jefferson County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,557 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,029 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 17% higher than in Missouri. Income has been growing slower in Jefferson County (4.8%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Jefferson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Missouri average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jefferson County, Missouri grew by 41.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $80,557 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.511 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,745 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,986 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 26.2% | 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 Jefferson County, it is 0.511, 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 36% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 36% wage gap accumulates to roughly $621,565 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Missouri has narrowed from about 30% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,247 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.1% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 4,322 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 30 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Missouri has fallen from 8.2% to 3.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson County, Missouri has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Missouri, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jefferson County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Missouri?
Jefferson County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $80,557, about 17% higher than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Missouri is $80,557.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Missouri was $80,557.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Missouri was $68,359.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.511. 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 Jefferson County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Missouri has narrowed from about 30% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,247 since 2009.