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 | Harney County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,942 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,269 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.3% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Harney County is about 41% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing slower in Harney County (3.3%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Harney 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 Harney County, Oregon grew by 24.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $47,942 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Harney County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Harney County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.541 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,761 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $37,923 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.2% | 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 Harney County, it is 0.541, 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 29% more than women's income in Harney County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $379,330 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Harney County, Oregon has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $757 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Harney County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.6% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 8 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 145 people are unemployed in Harney County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Harney County is 8 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Harney County, Oregon has fallen from 8.8% to 4.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Harney 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 Harney County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Harney County, Oregon?
Harney 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 $47,942, about 41% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Harney County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Harney County, Oregon is $47,942.
What was the median household income in Harney County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Harney County, Oregon was $47,942.
What was the median household income in Harney County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Harney County, Oregon was $43,581.
What is the Gini coefficient in Harney County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Harney County is 0.541. 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 Harney County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Harney County, Oregon has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $757 since 2009.