Wealth Index
Wealthier than 75% of 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 | Dawson County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,302 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,781 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.6% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.6% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dawson County is about the same as in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Dawson County (3.6%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Dawson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Montana average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Dawson County, Montana grew by 45.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,302 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dawson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dawson County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.531 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $70,083 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,586 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 36.4% | 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 Dawson County, it is 0.531, about the same as Montana's 0.532, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 57% more than women's income in Dawson County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 57% wage gap accumulates to roughly $892,395 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dawson County, Montana has widened from about 29% to 36% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,824 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dawson County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.8% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 155 people are unemployed in Dawson County, Montana.
The average commute time in Dawson County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dawson County, Montana has risen from 3.1% to 3.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dawson County, Montana has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Montana, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Dawson County, Montana.
How Rich Is Dawson County, Montana?
Dawson County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $69,302, close to the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Dawson County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dawson County, Montana is $69,302.
What was the median household income in Dawson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dawson County, Montana was $69,302.
What was the median household income in Dawson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dawson County, Montana was $52,209.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dawson County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Dawson County is 0.531. 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 Dawson County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dawson County, Montana has widened from about 29% to 36% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,824 since 2009.