Wealth Index
Wealthier than 73% 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 | Flathead County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,951 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,691 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.5% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Flathead County is about 2% higher than in Montana. Income has been growing faster in Flathead County (5.6%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Flathead 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 Flathead County, Montana grew by 56.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $70,951 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Flathead County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Flathead County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.526 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,435 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,309 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.3% | 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 Flathead County, it is 0.526, 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 21% more than women's income in Flathead County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $354,410 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Flathead County, Montana has narrowed from about 27% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $564 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Flathead County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.7% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 1,668 people are unemployed in Flathead County, Montana.
The average commute time in Flathead County is 17 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Flathead County, Montana has fallen from 7.1% to 3.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Flathead 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 Flathead County, Montana.
How Rich Is Flathead County, Montana?
Flathead 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 $70,951, about 2% higher than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Flathead County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Flathead County, Montana is $70,951.
What was the median household income in Flathead County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Flathead County, Montana was $70,951.
What was the median household income in Flathead County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Flathead County, Montana was $58,113.
What is the Gini coefficient in Flathead County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Flathead County is 0.526. 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 Flathead County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Flathead County, Montana has narrowed from about 27% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $564 since 2009.