Sanford, North Carolina Income Statistics
Sanford 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.
-
D
Sanford Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Sanford | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,164 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $41,989 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.4% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.9% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 4.5% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sanford is about 18% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Sanford (4.4%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Sanford earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Sanford, North Carolina grew by 53.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $59,164 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Sanford
| Metric | Sanford | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.547 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $46,674 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $42,516 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 8.9% | 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 Sanford, it is 0.547, about the same as North Carolina's 0.547, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 10% more than women's income in Sanford, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $145,530 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sanford, North Carolina has narrowed from about 27% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 28% in 2011, and was narrowest at 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,473 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sanford | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.7% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 353 people are unemployed in Sanford, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Sanford is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sanford, North Carolina has fallen from 10.9% to 3.2% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 12.4% in 2014.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sanford, 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 Sanford, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Sanford, North Carolina?
Sanford 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 $59,164, about 18% lower than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in Sanford, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Sanford, North Carolina rose 54%, from $38,485 to $59,164. Over the same years, income here lagged behind North Carolina as a whole: +54% against +61%.
What was the median household income in Sanford in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sanford, North Carolina was $57,301, up 3% from $55,834 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in Sanford in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sanford, North Carolina was $46,213. By 2024 it had risen 28% to $59,164.
How strong is the job market in Sanford, North Carolina?
Unemployment in Sanford, North Carolina is only 3.2%, 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 Sanford, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Sanford is 0.547. 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 Sanford, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sanford, North Carolina has narrowed from about 27% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 28% in 2011, and was narrowest at 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,473 since 2009.
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