Wealth Index
Least wealthy county 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 | Thurston County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,078 | $74,987 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,291 | $58,336 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.3% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.0% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Thurston County is about 13% lower than in Nebraska. Income has been growing faster in Thurston County (6.3%/yr) than in Nebraska (4.6%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Thurston 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 Thurston County, Nebraska grew by 60.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,078 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Thurston County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Thurston County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.568 | 0.520 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,318 | $64,195 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,730 | $51,020 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.4% | 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 Thurston County, it is 0.568, higher than Nebraska's 0.520, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 29% more than women's income in Thurston County, Nebraska. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $440,580 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Nebraska has widened from about 10% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $9,448 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Thurston County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.3% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.2% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 311 people are unemployed in Thurston County, Nebraska.
The average commute time in Thurston County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Nebraska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Thurston County, Nebraska has fallen from 13.7% to 10.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Thurston County, Nebraska has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Nebraska, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Thurston County, Nebraska.
How Rich Is Thurston County, Nebraska?
Thurston 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 $65,078, about 13% lower than the Nebraska average of $74,987.
What is the current median household income in Thurston County, Nebraska?
As of 2023, the median household income in Thurston County, Nebraska is $65,078.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Thurston County, Nebraska was $65,078.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Thurston County, Nebraska was $55,765.
What is the Gini coefficient in Thurston County, Nebraska?
The Gini coefficient in Thurston County is 0.568. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Thurston County, Nebraska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Nebraska has widened from about 10% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $9,448 since 2009.