Wealth Index
Wealthier than 89% of 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 | Lincoln County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $77,781 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,380 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.8% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.5% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lincoln County is about 11% higher than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Lincoln County (6.8%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, North Carolina grew by 62.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $77,781 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lincoln County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lincoln County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.552 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,355 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,607 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.8% | 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 Lincoln County, it is 0.552, 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 39% more than women's income in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 39% wage gap accumulates to roughly $656,180 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lincoln County, North Carolina has widened from about 25% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,224 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lincoln County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.0% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,614 people are unemployed in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Lincoln County is 28 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lincoln County, North Carolina has fallen from 11.2% to 3.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Lincoln County, North Carolina?
Lincoln 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 $77,781, about 11% higher than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Lincoln County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lincoln County, North Carolina is $77,781.
What was the median household income in Lincoln County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lincoln County, North Carolina was $77,781.
What was the median household income in Lincoln County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lincoln County, North Carolina was $59,710.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lincoln County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Lincoln County is 0.552. 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 Lincoln County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lincoln County, North Carolina has widened from about 25% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,224 since 2009.