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 | Wasco County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,844 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,209 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wasco County is about 20% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing slower in Wasco County (4.7%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Wasco 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 Wasco County, Oregon grew by 57.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $64,844 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Wasco County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Wasco County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,254 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,277 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.2% | 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 Wasco County, it is 0.512, 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 25% more than women's income in Wasco County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $419,195 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wasco County, Oregon has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $840 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wasco County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.9% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 1,004 people are unemployed in Wasco County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Wasco County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wasco County, Oregon has risen from 6.9% to 7.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wasco 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 Wasco County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Wasco County, Oregon?
Wasco 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 $64,844, about 20% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Wasco County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Wasco County, Oregon is $64,844.
What was the median household income in Wasco County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wasco County, Oregon was $64,844.
What was the median household income in Wasco County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wasco County, Oregon was $55,613.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wasco County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Wasco County is 0.512. 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 Wasco County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wasco County, Oregon has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $840 since 2009.