Cornelius, North Carolina Income Statistics
Cornelius Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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A
Cornelius Above average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Cornelius | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $104,023 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $84,397 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.2% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 25.5% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 22.6% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cornelius is about 44% higher than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Cornelius (3.2%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 26% of adults in Cornelius earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina grew by 47.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $104,023 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Cornelius
| Metric | Cornelius | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.524 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $100,280 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $73,379 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 26.8% | 16.7% | 18.4% |
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 Cornelius, it is 0.524, lower than North Carolina's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 37% more than women's income in Cornelius, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 37% wage gap accumulates to roughly $941,535 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cornelius, North Carolina has narrowed from about 31% to 27% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 34% in 2016, and was narrowest at 12% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,910 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cornelius | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.8% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 28.1% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 229 people are unemployed in Cornelius, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Cornelius is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cornelius, North Carolina has fallen from 6.7% to 1.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 8.0% in 2013.
Cornelius, NC Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Cornelius, NC compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelius, NC | 23,004 | $104,023 #2/3 | 3.2%/yr #3/3 | 1.8% #1/3 | 0.524 #2/3 |
| Huntersville, NC | 52,008 | $118,316 | 3.7%/yr | 2.9% | 0.493 |
| Mooresville, NC | 32,577 | $86,989 | 4.7%/yr | 4.2% | 0.530 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cornelius, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than North Carolina, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cornelius, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Cornelius, North Carolina?
Cornelius has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $104,023, about 44% higher than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in Cornelius, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina rose 48%, from $70,361 to $104,023. Over the same years, income here lagged behind North Carolina as a whole: +48% against +61%.
What was the median household income in Cornelius in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina was $105,447, up 6% from $99,208 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in Cornelius in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cornelius, North Carolina was $88,400. By 2024 it had risen 18% to $104,023.
Is Cornelius, North Carolina a high-income area?
Yes. 26% of adults in Cornelius, North Carolina earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 4), against 12% (about 1 in 8) in North Carolina. 23% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 10% in North Carolina.
Is unemployment high in Cornelius, North Carolina?
Unemployment in Cornelius, North Carolina is only 1.8%, well below the North Carolina rate of 4.6%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Cornelius is 0.524. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Cornelius, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cornelius, North Carolina has narrowed from about 31% to 27% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 34% in 2016, and was narrowest at 12% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,910 since 2009.
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