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 | Baker County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,503 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $59,609 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.6% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Baker County is about 29% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing slower in Baker County (4.6%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Baker County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Oregon average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Baker County, Oregon grew by 49.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,503 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Baker County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Baker County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.535 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,027 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,175 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.6% | 17.1% | 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 Baker County, it is 0.535, lower than Oregon's 0.554, 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 42% more than women's income in Baker County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 42% wage gap accumulates to roughly $694,820 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Baker County, Oregon has narrowed from about 36% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,371 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Baker County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.4% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 10 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 310 people are unemployed in Baker County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Baker County is 10 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Baker County, Oregon has fallen from 11.3% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Baker County, Oregon has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Oregon, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Baker County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Baker County, Oregon?
Baker 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 $57,503, about 29% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Baker County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Baker County, Oregon is $57,503.
What was the median household income in Baker County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Baker County, Oregon was $57,503.
What was the median household income in Baker County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Baker County, Oregon was $46,097.
What is the Gini coefficient in Baker County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Baker County is 0.535. 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 Baker County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Baker County, Oregon has narrowed from about 36% to 30% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,371 since 2009.