Wealth Index
Among the top 3 wealthiest counties in North Carolina
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 | Chatham County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $89,602 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,045 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.3% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 18.7% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Chatham County is about 28% higher than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Chatham County (6.3%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 19% of adults in Chatham County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the North Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Chatham County, North Carolina grew by 61.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $89,602 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Chatham County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Chatham County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.561 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $76,296 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $56,956 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.3% | 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 Chatham County, it is 0.561, about the same as North Carolina's 0.561, 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 34% more than women's income in Chatham County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 34% wage gap accumulates to roughly $676,900 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chatham County, North Carolina has widened from about 14% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,615 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Chatham County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 20.1% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,129 people are unemployed in Chatham County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Chatham County is 25 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Chatham County, North Carolina has fallen from 7.8% to 3.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Chatham County, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than North Carolina, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Chatham County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Chatham County, North Carolina?
Chatham 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 $89,602, about 28% higher than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Chatham County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Chatham County, North Carolina is $89,602.
What was the median household income in Chatham County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Chatham County, North Carolina was $89,602.
What was the median household income in Chatham County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Chatham County, North Carolina was $70,507.
What is the Gini coefficient in Chatham County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Chatham County is 0.561. 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 Chatham County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chatham County, North Carolina has widened from about 14% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,615 since 2009.