Wealth Index
Wealthier than 80% of counties in New York
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 | Columbia County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $84,090 | $85,191 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $69,355 | $70,822 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 15.4% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 1% lower than in New York. Income has been growing faster in Columbia County (5.0%/yr) than in New York (4.9%/yr).
About 15% of adults in Columbia County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the New York average of 16%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbia County, New York grew by 54.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $84,090 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbia County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbia County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.533 | 0.576 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $72,508 | $75,380 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $65,537 | $65,850 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.6% | 12.6% | 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 Columbia County, it is 0.533, lower than New York's 0.576, 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 11% more than women's income in Columbia County, New York. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $243,985 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, New York has narrowed from about 24% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,195 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.7% | 13.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 28 | 22 |
Approximately 1,629 people are unemployed in Columbia County, New York.
The average commute time in Columbia County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 28 minutes in New York.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia County, New York has fallen from 7.6% to 5.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia County, New York has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than New York, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia County, New York.
How Rich Is Columbia County, New York?
Columbia 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 $84,090, about 1% lower than the New York average of $85,191.
What is the current median household income in Columbia County, New York?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, New York is $84,090.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, New York was $84,090.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia County, New York was $69,261.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia County, New York?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia County is 0.533. 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 Columbia County, New York?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, New York has narrowed from about 24% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,195 since 2009.