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 | Gates County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,510 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,415 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.6% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.6% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Gates County is about 12% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Gates County (2.6%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Gates 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 Gates County, North Carolina grew by 30.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $61,510 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Gates County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Gates County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.521 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,575 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,797 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 36.7% | 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 Gates County, it is 0.521, 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 58% more than women's income in Gates County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 58% wage gap accumulates to roughly $867,230 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Gates County, North Carolina has widened from about 25% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $14,400 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Gates County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.3% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 36 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 432 people are unemployed in Gates County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Gates County is 36 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Gates County, North Carolina has risen from 8.8% to 8.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Gates County, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with North Carolina, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Gates County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Gates County, North Carolina?
Gates 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 $61,510, about 12% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Gates County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Gates County, North Carolina is $61,510.
What was the median household income in Gates County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Gates County, North Carolina was $61,510.
What was the median household income in Gates County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Gates County, North Carolina was $46,345.
What is the Gini coefficient in Gates County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Gates County is 0.521. 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 Gates County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Gates County, North Carolina has widened from about 25% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $14,400 since 2009.