Wealth Index
Wealthier than 87% 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 | Orange County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,889 | $85,191 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $71,379 | $70,822 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 15.7% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Orange County is about 14% higher than in New York. Income has been growing slower in Orange County (4.3%/yr) than in New York (4.9%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Orange County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the New York average of 16%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Orange County, New York grew by 39.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $96,889 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Orange County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Orange County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.575 | 0.576 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $76,857 | $75,380 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $63,587 | $65,850 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.3% | 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 Orange County, it is 0.575, about the same as New York's 0.576, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Orange County, New York. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $464,450 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Orange County, New York has narrowed from about 23% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $708 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Orange County | New York Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.5% | 13.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 28 | 22 |
Approximately 10,556 people are unemployed in Orange County, New York.
The average commute time in Orange County is 25 minutes, shorter than the 28 minutes in New York.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Orange County, New York has fallen from 6.9% to 5.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Orange 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 Orange County, New York.
How Wealthy Is Orange County, New York?
Orange 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 $96,889, about 14% higher than the New York average of $85,191.
What is the current median household income in Orange County, New York?
As of 2023, the median household income in Orange County, New York is $96,889.
What was the median household income in Orange County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Orange County, New York was $96,889.
What was the median household income in Orange County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Orange County, New York was $81,473.
What is the Gini coefficient in Orange County, New York?
The Gini coefficient in Orange County is 0.575. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Orange County, New York?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Orange County, New York has narrowed from about 23% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $708 since 2009.