Wealth Index
Wealthier than 79% of 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 | Lafayette County | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,311 | $55,084 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,136 | $48,244 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.9% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.2% | 6.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lafayette County is about 19% higher than in Mississippi. Income has been growing faster in Lafayette County (5.9%/yr) than in Mississippi (4.5%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Lafayette County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Mississippi average of 7%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Lafayette County, Mississippi grew by 62.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,311 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lafayette County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lafayette County | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.620 | 0.574 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $62,345 | $55,143 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,515 | $42,143 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.0% | 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 Lafayette County, it is 0.620, 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.
Men's income is about 37% more than women's income in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Over a 35-year career, a 37% wage gap accumulates to roughly $589,050 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lafayette County, Mississippi has narrowed from about 28% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,703 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lafayette County | Mississippi Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.8% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.6% | 5.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 471 people are unemployed in Lafayette County, Mississippi.
The average commute time in Lafayette County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Mississippi.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lafayette County, Mississippi has fallen from 8.5% to 1.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lafayette County, Mississippi has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat better than Mississippi, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lafayette County, Mississippi.
How Rich Is Lafayette County, Mississippi?
Lafayette 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 $65,311, about 19% higher than the Mississippi average of $55,084.
What is the current median household income in Lafayette County, Mississippi?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lafayette County, Mississippi is $65,311.
What was the median household income in Lafayette County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lafayette County, Mississippi was $65,311.
What was the median household income in Lafayette County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lafayette County, Mississippi was $53,782.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lafayette County, Mississippi?
The Gini coefficient in Lafayette County is 0.620. 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 Lafayette County, Mississippi?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lafayette County, Mississippi has narrowed from about 28% to 27% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,703 since 2009.