Wealth Index
Wealthier than 77% of counties in Oregon
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 | Benton County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $75,979 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,893 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.3% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Benton County is about 6% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing slower in Benton County (5.5%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Benton County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Oregon average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Benton County, Oregon grew by 62.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $75,979 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Benton County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Benton County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.599 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $75,545 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $59,174 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.7% | 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 Benton County, it is 0.599, higher than Oregon's 0.554, 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 28% more than women's income in Benton County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $572,985 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Benton County, Oregon has narrowed from about 35% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,933 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Benton County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 16.7% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 3,399 people are unemployed in Benton County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Benton County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Benton County, Oregon has fallen from 7.3% to 6.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Benton County, Oregon has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Oregon, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Benton County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Benton County, Oregon?
Benton 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 $75,979, about 6% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Benton County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Benton County, Oregon is $75,979.
What was the median household income in Benton County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Benton County, Oregon was $75,979.
What was the median household income in Benton County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Benton County, Oregon was $64,845.
What is the Gini coefficient in Benton County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Benton County is 0.599. 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 Benton County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Benton County, Oregon has narrowed from about 35% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,933 since 2009.