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 | Prairie County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $45,172 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,051 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 0.4% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.5% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Prairie County is about 35% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Prairie County (0.4%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Prairie 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 Prairie County, Montana grew by 23.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $45,172 in 2023. That's an average of about 0.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Prairie County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Prairie County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.546 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,845 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,217 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.9% | 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 Prairie County, it is 0.546, higher than Montana's 0.532, so income is less 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 22% more than women's income in Prairie County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $336,980 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Prairie County, Montana has widened from about 12% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,907 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Prairie County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.2% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 31.8% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 10 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 6 people are unemployed in Prairie County, Montana.
The average commute time in Prairie County is 10 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Prairie County, Montana has fallen from 1.8% to 1.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Prairie 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 Prairie County, Montana.
How Rich Is Prairie County, Montana?
Prairie 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 $45,172, about 35% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Prairie County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Prairie County, Montana is $45,172.
What was the median household income in Prairie County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Prairie County, Montana was $45,172.
What was the median household income in Prairie County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Prairie County, Montana was $44,699.
What is the Gini coefficient in Prairie County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Prairie County is 0.546. 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 Prairie County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Prairie County, Montana has widened from about 12% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,907 since 2009.