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 | Pondera County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $52,562 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,818 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.4% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.1% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Pondera County is about 25% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Pondera County (3.4%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Pondera 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 Pondera County, Montana grew by 59.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $52,562 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Pondera County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Pondera County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.532 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,061 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,908 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.6% | 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 Pondera County, it is 0.532, 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 26% more than women's income in Pondera County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $390,355 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pondera County, Montana has widened from about 18% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,239 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Pondera County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.5% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 177 people are unemployed in Pondera County, Montana.
The average commute time in Pondera County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Pondera County, Montana has risen from 4.6% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Pondera 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 Pondera County, Montana.
How Rich Is Pondera County, Montana?
Pondera 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 $52,562, about 25% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Pondera County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Pondera County, Montana is $52,562.
What was the median household income in Pondera County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Pondera County, Montana was $52,562.
What was the median household income in Pondera County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Pondera County, Montana was $54,477.
What is the Gini coefficient in Pondera County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Pondera County is 0.532. 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 Pondera County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Pondera County, Montana has widened from about 18% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,239 since 2009.