Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 86% of counties in Oklahoma
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 | Cherokee County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,773 | $63,953 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,323 | $52,060 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 4.1% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.0% | 8.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cherokee County is about 16% lower than in Oklahoma. Income has been growing faster in Cherokee County (4.9%/yr) than in Oklahoma (4.1%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, Oklahoma grew by 75.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $53,773 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cherokee County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cherokee County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.570 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,440 | $59,197 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,633 | $45,400 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.0% | 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 Cherokee County, it is 0.570, higher than Oklahoma's 0.560, 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 14% more than women's income in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $203,245 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cherokee County, Oklahoma has narrowed from about 27% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,815 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cherokee County | Oklahoma Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.1% | 8.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 1,127 people are unemployed in Cherokee County, Oklahoma.
The average commute time in Cherokee County is 18 minutes, about the same as in Oklahoma.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cherokee County, Oklahoma has fallen from 8.6% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cherokee County, Oklahoma has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Oklahoma, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cherokee County, Oklahoma.
How Rich Is Cherokee County, Oklahoma?
Cherokee 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 $53,773, about 16% lower than the Oklahoma average of $63,953.
What is the current median household income in Cherokee County, Oklahoma?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cherokee County, Oklahoma is $53,773.
What was the median household income in Cherokee County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cherokee County, Oklahoma was $53,773.
What was the median household income in Cherokee County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cherokee County, Oklahoma was $43,587.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cherokee County, Oklahoma?
The Gini coefficient in Cherokee County is 0.570. 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 Cherokee County, Oklahoma?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cherokee County, Oklahoma has narrowed from about 27% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,815 since 2009.