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 | Custer County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,091 | $74,987 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,755 | $58,336 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.1% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Custer County is about 12% lower than in Nebraska. Income has been growing faster in Custer County (4.9%/yr) than in Nebraska (4.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Custer County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Nebraska average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Custer County, Nebraska grew by 59.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,091 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Custer County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Custer County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.498 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,782 | $64,195 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,087 | $51,020 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.5% | 20.5% | 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 Custer County, it is 0.498, lower than Nebraska's 0.520, 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 20% more than women's income in Custer County, Nebraska. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $339,325 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Custer County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,306 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Custer County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.1% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 155 people are unemployed in Custer County, Nebraska.
The average commute time in Custer County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Nebraska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Custer County, Nebraska has fallen from 4.1% to 2.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Custer County, Nebraska has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Nebraska, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Custer County, Nebraska.
How Rich Is Custer County, Nebraska?
Custer 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 $66,091, about 12% lower than the Nebraska average of $74,987.
What is the current median household income in Custer County, Nebraska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Custer County, Nebraska is $66,091.
What was the median household income in Custer County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Custer County, Nebraska was $66,091.
What was the median household income in Custer County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Custer County, Nebraska was $53,365.
What is the Gini coefficient in Custer County, Nebraska?
The Gini coefficient in Custer County is 0.498. 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 Custer County, Nebraska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Custer County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,306 since 2009.