Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 93% of counties in Nebraska
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 | Jefferson County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,140 | $74,987 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,422 | $58,336 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.3% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 18% lower than in Nebraska. Income has been growing faster in Jefferson County (4.8%/yr) than in Nebraska (4.6%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Nebraska grew by 57.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $61,140 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.508 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $61,331 | $64,195 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,017 | $51,020 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.9% | 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 Jefferson County, it is 0.508, 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 43% more than women's income in Jefferson County, Nebraska. Over a 35-year career, a 43% wage gap accumulates to roughly $640,990 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Nebraska has widened from about 18% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,308 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.1% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.5% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 36 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Nebraska.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Nebraska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Nebraska has fallen from 5.5% to 1.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson County, Nebraska has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Nebraska, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jefferson County, Nebraska.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Jefferson County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $61,140, about 18% lower than the Nebraska average of $74,987.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Nebraska is $61,140.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Nebraska was $61,140.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Nebraska was $48,382.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.508. 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 Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Nebraska has widened from about 18% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,308 since 2009.