Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Robeson County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $40,354 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $42,361 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.3% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Robeson County is about 42% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Robeson County (3.7%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Robeson 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 Robeson County, North Carolina grew by 42.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $40,354 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Robeson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Robeson County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.578 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,248 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,787 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.1% | 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 Robeson County, it is 0.578, higher than North Carolina's 0.561, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Robeson County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $261,135 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Robeson County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $462 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Robeson County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.8% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,861 people are unemployed in Robeson County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Robeson County is 21 minutes, about the same as in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Robeson County, North Carolina has fallen from 10.8% to 6.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Robeson 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 Robeson County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Robeson County, North Carolina?
Robeson 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 $40,354, about 42% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Robeson County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Robeson County, North Carolina is $40,354.
What was the median household income in Robeson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Robeson County, North Carolina was $40,354.
What was the median household income in Robeson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Robeson County, North Carolina was $35,336.
What is the Gini coefficient in Robeson County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Robeson County is 0.578. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Robeson County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Robeson County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $462 since 2009.