Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy counties in Montana
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 | Big Horn County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,552 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,302 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.6% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.7% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Big Horn County is about 19% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Big Horn County (3.6%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Big Horn County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Montana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Big Horn County, Montana grew by 62.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,552 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Big Horn County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Big Horn County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.607 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,764 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,365 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 5.1% | 23.1% | 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 Big Horn County, it is 0.607, higher than Montana's 0.532, 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 5% more than women's income in Big Horn County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 5% wage gap accumulates to roughly $83,965 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Big Horn County, Montana has narrowed from about 32% to 5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,284 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Big Horn County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 13.7% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.7% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 755 people are unemployed in Big Horn County, Montana.
The average commute time in Big Horn County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Big Horn County, Montana has fallen from 18.9% to 13.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Big Horn County, Montana has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Montana, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Big Horn County, Montana.
How Rich Is Big Horn County, Montana?
Big Horn 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 $56,552, about 19% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Big Horn County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Big Horn County, Montana is $56,552.
What was the median household income in Big Horn County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Big Horn County, Montana was $56,552.
What was the median household income in Big Horn County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Big Horn County, Montana was $48,256.
What is the Gini coefficient in Big Horn County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Big Horn County is 0.607. 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 Big Horn County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Big Horn County, Montana has narrowed from about 32% to 5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,284 since 2009.