Wealth Index
Wealthier than 92% 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 | Delaware County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $89,286 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $70,120 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.2% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Delaware County is about 17% higher than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Delaware County (4.2%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Delaware County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Pennsylvania average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania grew by 45.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $89,286 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Delaware County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Delaware County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.563 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $77,670 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $62,290 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.8% | 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 Delaware County, it is 0.563, higher than Pennsylvania's 0.550, so income is less 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 Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $538,300 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 22% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,922 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Delaware County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.4% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 26 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 20,904 people are unemployed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Delaware County is 26 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 7.9% to 6.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Delaware County, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Pennsylvania, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Delaware County, Pennsylvania?
Delaware County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $89,286, about 17% higher than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is $89,286.
What was the median household income in Delaware County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was $89,286.
What was the median household income in Delaware County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was $76,594.
What is the Gini coefficient in Delaware County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Delaware County is 0.563. 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 Delaware County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 22% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,922 since 2009.