Wealth Index
Least wealthy county in Ohio
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 | Athens County | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,487 | $69,785 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,342 | $59,599 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 10.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Athens County is about 23% lower than in Ohio. Income has been growing faster in Athens County (6.7%/yr) than in Ohio (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Athens County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Ohio average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Athens County, Ohio grew by 76.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $53,487 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Athens County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Athens County | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.634 | 0.543 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,434 | $65,552 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,278 | $52,370 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.1% | 20.1% | 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 Athens County, it is 0.634, higher than Ohio's 0.543, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Athens County, Ohio. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $390,460 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens County, Ohio has narrowed from about 24% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,754 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Athens County | Ohio Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.7% | 11.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,750 people are unemployed in Athens County, Ohio.
The average commute time in Athens County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in Ohio.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Athens County, Ohio has fallen from 11.9% to 5.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Athens County, Ohio has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Ohio, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Athens County, Ohio.
How Wealthy Is Athens County, Ohio?
Athens 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 $53,487, about 23% lower than the Ohio average of $69,785.
What is the current median household income in Athens County, Ohio?
As of 2023, the median household income in Athens County, Ohio is $53,487.
What was the median household income in Athens County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Athens County, Ohio was $53,487.
What was the median household income in Athens County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Athens County, Ohio was $43,182.
What is the Gini coefficient in Athens County, Ohio?
The Gini coefficient in Athens County is 0.634. 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 Athens County, Ohio?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Athens County, Ohio has narrowed from about 24% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,754 since 2009.