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 | Merrick County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,202 | $74,987 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,805 | $58,336 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.6% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.6% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Merrick County is about 14% lower than in Nebraska. Income has been growing slower in Merrick County (3.6%/yr) than in Nebraska (4.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Merrick 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 Merrick County, Nebraska grew by 37.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $64,202 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Merrick County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Merrick County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.488 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,067 | $64,195 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,306 | $51,020 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.9% | 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 Merrick County, it is 0.488, 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 23% more than women's income in Merrick County, Nebraska. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $376,635 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merrick County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 37% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,284 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Merrick County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.0% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.7% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 25 people are unemployed in Merrick County, Nebraska.
The average commute time in Merrick County is 17 minutes, longer than the 16 minutes in Nebraska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Merrick County, Nebraska has fallen from 5.3% to 1.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Merrick 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 Merrick County, Nebraska.
How Rich Is Merrick County, Nebraska?
Merrick 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 $64,202, about 14% lower than the Nebraska average of $74,987.
What is the current median household income in Merrick County, Nebraska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Merrick County, Nebraska is $64,202.
What was the median household income in Merrick County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Merrick County, Nebraska was $64,202.
What was the median household income in Merrick County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Merrick County, Nebraska was $52,029.
What is the Gini coefficient in Merrick County, Nebraska?
The Gini coefficient in Merrick County is 0.488. 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 Merrick County, Nebraska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merrick County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 37% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $4,284 since 2009.