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 | Valley County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,738 | $69,624 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,657 | $55,820 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 5.3% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.6% | 10.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Valley County is about 6% lower than in Montana. Income has been growing slower in Valley County (4.2%/yr) than in Montana (5.3%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Valley 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 Valley County, Montana grew by 69.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,738 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Valley County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Valley County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.490 | 0.532 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,882 | $62,811 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,978 | $48,331 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.5% | 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 Valley County, it is 0.490, 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 20% more than women's income in Valley County, Montana. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $311,640 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Valley County, Montana has narrowed from about 20% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,294 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Valley County | Montana Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.9% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 8 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 120 people are unemployed in Valley County, Montana.
The average commute time in Valley County is 8 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Montana.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Valley County, Montana has risen from 2.6% to 3.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Valley 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 Valley County, Montana.
How Rich Is Valley County, Montana?
Valley 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 $65,738, about 6% lower than the Montana average of $69,624.
What is the current median household income in Valley County, Montana?
As of 2023, the median household income in Valley County, Montana is $65,738.
What was the median household income in Valley County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Valley County, Montana was $65,738.
What was the median household income in Valley County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Valley County, Montana was $51,365.
What is the Gini coefficient in Valley County, Montana?
The Gini coefficient in Valley County is 0.490. 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 Valley County, Montana?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Valley County, Montana has narrowed from about 20% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,294 since 2009.