Wealth Index
Among the top 3 wealthiest 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 | Mercer County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $78,655 | $76,061 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,125 | $60,423 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 1.0% | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.0% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Mercer County is about 3% higher than in North Dakota. Income has been growing slower in Mercer County (1.0%/yr) than in North Dakota (3.6%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Mercer County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the North Dakota average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Mercer County, North Dakota grew by 38.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $78,655 in 2023. That's an average of about 1.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Mercer County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Mercer County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.542 | 0.515 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $86,931 | $67,015 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,900 | $52,823 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 43.7% | 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 Mercer County, it is 0.542, higher than North Dakota's 0.515, so income is less 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 78% more than women's income in Mercer County, North Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 78% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,331,085 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mercer County, North Dakota has narrowed from about 46% to 44% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,089 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Mercer County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% | 2.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.7% | 7.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 13 | 22 |
Approximately 70 people are unemployed in Mercer County, North Dakota.
The average commute time in Mercer County is 13 minutes, about the same as in North Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Mercer County, North Dakota has fallen from 3.9% to 1.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Mercer County, North Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than North Dakota, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Mercer County, North Dakota.
How Rich Is Mercer County, North Dakota?
Mercer County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $78,655, about 3% higher than the North Dakota average of $76,061.
What is the current median household income in Mercer County, North Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Mercer County, North Dakota is $78,655.
What was the median household income in Mercer County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Mercer County, North Dakota was $78,655.
What was the median household income in Mercer County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Mercer County, North Dakota was $82,460.
What is the Gini coefficient in Mercer County, North Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Mercer County is 0.542. 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 Mercer County, North Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Mercer County, North Dakota has narrowed from about 46% to 44% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,089 since 2009.