Wealth Index
Among the 3 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 | Blaine County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,478 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,056 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.6% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.3% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Blaine County is about 6% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing faster in Blaine County (8.6%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Blaine 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 Blaine County, Montana grew by 74.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,478 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Blaine County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Blaine County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.567 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,868 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,587 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.6% | 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 Blaine County, it is 0.567, higher than Montana's 0.532, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 16% more than women's income in Blaine County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 16% wage gap accumulates to roughly $289,835 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Blaine County, Montana has narrowed from about 16% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,709 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Blaine County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 14.2% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.5% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 452 people are unemployed in Blaine County, Montana.
The average commute time in Blaine County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Blaine County, Montana has risen from 6.8% to 14.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Blaine 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 Blaine County, Montana.
How Rich Is Blaine County, Montana?
Blaine 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 $65,478, about 6% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Blaine County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Blaine County, Montana is $65,478.
What was the median household income in Blaine County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Blaine County, Montana was $65,478.
What was the median household income in Blaine County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Blaine County, Montana was $45,372.
What is the Gini coefficient in Blaine County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Blaine County is 0.567. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Blaine County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Blaine County, Montana has narrowed from about 16% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,709 since 2009.