Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 74% of counties in Pennsylvania
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 | Centre County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,298 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,509 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Centre County is about 5% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Centre County (4.0%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Centre 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 Centre County, Pennsylvania grew by 57.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $72,298 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Centre County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Centre County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.602 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $68,186 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $56,072 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.8% | 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 Centre County, it is 0.602, higher than Pennsylvania's 0.550, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $423,990 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Centre County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $219 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Centre County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.6% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 3,068 people are unemployed in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Centre County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Centre County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 5.9% to 4.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Centre County, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Pennsylvania, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Centre County, Pennsylvania?
Centre 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 $72,298, about 5% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Centre County, Pennsylvania is $72,298.
What was the median household income in Centre County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Centre County, Pennsylvania was $72,298.
What was the median household income in Centre County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Centre County, Pennsylvania was $62,252.
What is the Gini coefficient in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Centre County is 0.602. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Centre County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $219 since 2009.