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 | Wayne County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,139 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,648 | $55,581 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.1% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wayne County is about 17% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Wayne County (5.3%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Wayne 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 Wayne County, North Carolina grew by 44.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $58,139 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Wayne County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Wayne County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.541 | 0.561 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,102 | $60,778 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,343 | $50,560 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.1% | 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 Wayne County, it is 0.541, 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 21% more than women's income in Wayne County, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $306,565 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wayne County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 24% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $372 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wayne County | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.0% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,856 people are unemployed in Wayne County, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Wayne County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wayne County, North Carolina has fallen from 9.8% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wayne 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 Wayne County, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Wayne County, North Carolina?
Wayne 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 $58,139, about 17% lower than the North Carolina average of $69,937.
What is the current median household income in Wayne County, North Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Wayne County, North Carolina is $58,139.
What was the median household income in Wayne County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wayne County, North Carolina was $58,139.
What was the median household income in Wayne County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wayne County, North Carolina was $47,380.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wayne County, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Wayne County is 0.541. 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 Wayne County, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wayne County, North Carolina has narrowed from about 24% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $372 since 2009.