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 | Transylvania County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,609 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,250 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.7% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Transylvania County is about 8% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Transylvania County (5.6%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Transylvania 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 Transylvania County, North Carolina grew by 67.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $64,609 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Transylvania County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Transylvania County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.538 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,608 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,255 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 6.8% | 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 Transylvania County, it is 0.538, 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 7% more than women's income in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 7% wage gap accumulates to roughly $117,355 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Transylvania County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 14% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,878 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Transylvania County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.7% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 535 people are unemployed in Transylvania County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Transylvania County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Transylvania County, North Carolina has fallen from 7.4% to 3.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Transylvania 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 Transylvania County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Transylvania County, North Carolina?
Transylvania 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 $64,609, about 8% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina is $64,609.
What was the median household income in Transylvania County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina was $64,609.
What was the median household income in Transylvania County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina was $51,743.
What is the Gini coefficient in Transylvania County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Transylvania County is 0.538. 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 Transylvania County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Transylvania County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 14% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,878 since 2009.