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 | Cascade County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,166 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,712 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.5% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.9% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cascade County is about 5% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing faster in Cascade County (5.5%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Cascade 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 Cascade County, Montana grew by 57.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,166 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cascade County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cascade County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.522 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,301 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,772 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.1% | 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 Cascade County, it is 0.522, lower than Montana's 0.532, 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 25% more than women's income in Cascade County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $403,515 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cascade County, Montana has narrowed from about 26% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,656 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cascade County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.0% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 1,195 people are unemployed in Cascade County, Montana.
The average commute time in Cascade County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cascade County, Montana has fallen from 5.6% to 2.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cascade County, Montana has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Montana, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cascade County, Montana.
How Rich Is Cascade County, Montana?
Cascade County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $66,166, about 5% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Cascade County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cascade County, Montana is $66,166.
What was the median household income in Cascade County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cascade County, Montana was $66,166.
What was the median household income in Cascade County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cascade County, Montana was $52,311.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cascade County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Cascade 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 Cascade County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cascade County, Montana has narrowed from about 26% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,656 since 2009.