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 | Carbon County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,403 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,884 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.1% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.8% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Carbon County is about 12% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Carbon County (4.1%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Carbon County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Pennsylvania average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania grew by 42.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,403 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Carbon County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Carbon County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.509 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,845 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,728 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.3% | 20.2% | 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 Carbon County, it is 0.509, lower than Pennsylvania's 0.550, 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 22% more than women's income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $389,095 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Carbon County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $380 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Carbon County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.7% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,342 people are unemployed in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Carbon County is 30 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Carbon County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 8.9% to 7.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Carbon County, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Pennsylvania, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Carbon County, Pennsylvania?
Carbon 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 $67,403, about 12% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania is $67,403.
What was the median household income in Carbon County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania was $67,403.
What was the median household income in Carbon County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania was $58,201.
What is the Gini coefficient in Carbon County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Carbon County is 0.509. 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 Carbon County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Carbon County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $380 since 2009.