Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 95% 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 | Washington County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,935 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,400 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.7% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.4% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Washington County is about 39% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Washington County (4.7%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Washington 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 Washington County, North Carolina grew by 31.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $42,935 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Washington County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Washington County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,443 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,267 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.4% | 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 Washington County, it is 0.537, 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 16% more than women's income in Washington County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 16% wage gap accumulates to roughly $251,160 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $554 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Washington County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 11.1% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.0% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 498 people are unemployed in Washington County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Washington County is 21 minutes, about the same as in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Washington County, North Carolina has fallen from 15.0% to 11.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Washington 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 Washington County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Washington County, North Carolina?
Washington 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 $42,935, about 39% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Washington County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Washington County, North Carolina is $42,935.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Washington County, North Carolina was $42,935.
What was the median household income in Washington County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Washington County, North Carolina was $31,522.
What is the Gini coefficient in Washington County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Washington County is 0.537. 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 Washington County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Washington County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $554 since 2009.