Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy counties in Mississippi
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 | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $35,326 | $55,084 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $37,705 | $48,244 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.2% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.0% | 6.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 36% lower than in Mississippi. Income has been growing faster in Jefferson County (6.2%/yr) than in Mississippi (4.5%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Jefferson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Mississippi average of 7%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jefferson County, Mississippi grew by 52.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $35,326 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.619 | 0.574 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $37,577 | $55,143 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,285 | $42,143 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -1.9% | 23.6% | 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 0.619, higher than Mississippi's 0.574, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 2% more than men's income in Jefferson County, Mississippi. Over a 35-year career, a 2% wage gap accumulates to roughly $24,780 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Mississippi has narrowed from about -4% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $344 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.0% | 5.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 118 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Mississippi.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 23 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Mississippi.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Mississippi has fallen from 13.7% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson County, Mississippi has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it somewhat worse than Mississippi, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jefferson County, Mississippi.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Mississippi?
Jefferson County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $35,326, about 36% lower than the Mississippi average of $55,084.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Mississippi?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Mississippi is $35,326.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Mississippi was $35,326.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Mississippi was $29,319.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Mississippi?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.619. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Jefferson County, Mississippi?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Mississippi has narrowed from about -4% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $344 since 2009.