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 | Vernon County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,065 | $69,051 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,074 | $56,130 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.4% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Vernon County is about 22% lower than in Missouri. Income has been growing slower in Vernon County (4.2%/yr) than in Missouri (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Vernon 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 Vernon County, Missouri grew by 61.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $54,065 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Vernon County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Vernon County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.522 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,185 | $62,759 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $40,474 | $49,461 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.7% | 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 Vernon County, it is 0.522, 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 22% more than women's income in Vernon County, Missouri. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $304,885 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Vernon County, Missouri has widened from about 16% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,534 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Vernon County | Missouri Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.6% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 342 people are unemployed in Vernon County, Missouri.
The average commute time in Vernon County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Missouri.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Vernon County, Missouri has fallen from 6.5% to 3.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Vernon 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 Vernon County, Missouri.
How Rich Is Vernon County, Missouri?
Vernon 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 $54,065, about 22% lower than the Missouri average of $69,051.
What is the current median household income in Vernon County, Missouri?
As of 2023, the median household income in Vernon County, Missouri is $54,065.
What was the median household income in Vernon County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Vernon County, Missouri was $54,065.
What was the median household income in Vernon County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Vernon County, Missouri was $44,161.
What is the Gini coefficient in Vernon County, Missouri?
The Gini coefficient in Vernon County is 0.522. 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 Vernon County, Missouri?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Vernon County, Missouri has widened from about 16% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,534 since 2009.