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 | Carter County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,584 | $63,953 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,805 | $52,060 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.2% | 4.1% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.9% | 8.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Carter County is about 8% lower than in Oklahoma. Income has been growing slower in Carter County (3.2%/yr) than in Oklahoma (4.1%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Carter County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Oklahoma average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Carter County, Oklahoma grew by 53.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $58,584 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Carter County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Carter County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.534 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,187 | $59,197 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,143 | $45,400 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 31.6% | 23.3% | 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 Carter County, it is 0.534, lower than Oklahoma's 0.560, 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 46% more than women's income in Carter County, Oklahoma. Over a 35-year career, a 46% wage gap accumulates to roughly $666,540 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Carter County, Oklahoma has widened from about 24% to 32% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,153 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Carter County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.2% | 8.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 869 people are unemployed in Carter County, Oklahoma.
The average commute time in Carter County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Oklahoma.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Carter County, Oklahoma has fallen from 5.0% to 3.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Carter County, Oklahoma has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Oklahoma, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Carter County, Oklahoma.
How Rich Is Carter County, Oklahoma?
Carter County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $58,584, about 8% lower than the Oklahoma average of $63,953.
What is the current median household income in Carter County, Oklahoma?
As of 2023, the median household income in Carter County, Oklahoma is $58,584.
What was the median household income in Carter County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Carter County, Oklahoma was $58,584.
What was the median household income in Carter County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Carter County, Oklahoma was $51,285.
What is the Gini coefficient in Carter County, Oklahoma?
The Gini coefficient in Carter County is 0.534. 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 Carter County, Oklahoma?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Carter County, Oklahoma has widened from about 24% to 32% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,153 since 2009.