Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy counties in North Dakota
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 | Benson County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,025 | $76,061 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,305 | $60,423 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 7.0% | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Benson County is about 12% lower than in North Dakota. Income has been growing faster in Benson County (7.0%/yr) than in North Dakota (3.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Benson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Dakota average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Benson County, North Dakota grew by 119.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,025 in 2023. That's an average of about 7.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Benson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Benson County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.585 | 0.515 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,773 | $67,015 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $50,090 | $52,823 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.6% | 21.2% | 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 Benson County, it is 0.585, higher than North Dakota's 0.515, 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 21% more than women's income in Benson County, North Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $373,905 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Benson County, North Dakota has widened from about 17% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,946 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Benson County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% | 2.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.5% | 7.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 13 | 22 |
Approximately 41 people are unemployed in Benson County, North Dakota.
The average commute time in Benson County is 13 minutes, about the same as in North Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Benson County, North Dakota has fallen from 9.5% to 1.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Benson County, North Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than North Dakota, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Benson County, North Dakota.
How Rich Is Benson County, North Dakota?
Benson 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 $67,025, about 12% lower than the North Dakota average of $76,061.
What is the current median household income in Benson County, North Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Benson County, North Dakota is $67,025.
What was the median household income in Benson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Benson County, North Dakota was $67,025.
What was the median household income in Benson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Benson County, North Dakota was $50,374.
What is the Gini coefficient in Benson County, North Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Benson County is 0.585. 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 Benson County, North Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Benson County, North Dakota has widened from about 17% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,946 since 2009.