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 | Burke County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,228 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,090 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.2% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Burke County is about 20% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Burke County (5.1%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Burke County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Burke County, North Carolina grew by 55.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,228 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Burke County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Burke County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.526 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,822 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,772 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.4% | 16.8% | 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 Burke County, it is 0.526, lower than North Carolina's 0.561, 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 17% more than women's income in Burke County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $246,750 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Burke County, North Carolina has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 14%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,403 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Burke County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.4% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,024 people are unemployed in Burke County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Burke County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Burke County, North Carolina has fallen from 11.1% to 4.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Burke County, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than North Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Burke County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Burke County, North Carolina?
Burke County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $56,228, about 20% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Burke County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Burke County, North Carolina is $56,228.
What was the median household income in Burke County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Burke County, North Carolina was $56,228.
What was the median household income in Burke County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Burke County, North Carolina was $44,048.
What is the Gini coefficient in Burke County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Burke 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 Burke County, North Carolina?
The income gap between men and women in Burke County, North Carolina has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 14%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,403 since 2009.