Wealth Index
Among the 3 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 | Wheeler County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,539 | $80,923 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,031 | $64,122 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.1% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.4% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wheeler County is about 38% lower than in Oregon. Income has been growing faster in Wheeler County (6.1%/yr) than in Oregon (6.0%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, Oregon grew by 56.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $50,539 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Wheeler County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Wheeler County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.464 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $50,277 | $69,794 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,151 | $57,832 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.2% | 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 Wheeler County, it is 0.464, 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 17% more than women's income in Wheeler County, Oregon. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $249,410 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wheeler County, Oregon has narrowed from about 21% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,429 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wheeler County | Oregon Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 20.9% | 17.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 17 people are unemployed in Wheeler County, Oregon.
The average commute time in Wheeler County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Oregon.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wheeler County, Oregon has fallen from 7.3% to 3.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, Oregon.
How Rich Is Wheeler County, Oregon?
Wheeler 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 $50,539, about 38% lower than the Oregon average of $80,923.
What is the current median household income in Wheeler County, Oregon?
As of 2023, the median household income in Wheeler County, Oregon is $50,539.
What was the median household income in Wheeler County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wheeler County, Oregon was $50,539.
What was the median household income in Wheeler County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wheeler County, Oregon was $45,463.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wheeler County, Oregon?
The Gini coefficient in Wheeler County is 0.464. 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 Wheeler County, Oregon?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wheeler County, Oregon has narrowed from about 21% to 14% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,429 since 2009.