Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,992 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,408 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.6% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 10% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing faster in Jefferson County (6.5%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Oregon grew by 81.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $72,992 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jefferson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.549 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,162 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,795 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -1.2% | 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 Jefferson County, it is 0.549, about the same as Oregon's 0.554, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 1% more than men's income in Jefferson County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 1% wage gap accumulates to roughly $22,155 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Oregon has narrowed from about 20% to -1% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,722 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.5% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 866 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 20 minutes, about the same as in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, Oregon has fallen from 15.2% to 7.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, Oregon?
Jefferson 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 $72,992, about 10% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon is $72,992.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon was $72,992.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, Oregon was $56,035.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.549. 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 Jefferson County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, Oregon has narrowed from about 20% to -1% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,722 since 2009.