Wealth Index
Least wealthy county 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 | Forest County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,090 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,257 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.1% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Forest County is about 34% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Forest County (4.6%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 2% of adults in Forest 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 Forest County, Pennsylvania grew by 46.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $50,090 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Forest County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Forest County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.671 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,216 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,079 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 6.5% | 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 Forest County, it is 0.671, 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 7% more than women's income in Forest County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 7% wage gap accumulates to roughly $109,795 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 28% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,596 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Forest County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.7% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 60 people are unemployed in Forest County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Forest County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Forest County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 9.5% to 3.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Forest County, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than Pennsylvania, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Forest County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Forest County, Pennsylvania?
Forest County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $50,090, about 34% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Forest County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Forest County, Pennsylvania is $50,090.
What was the median household income in Forest County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Forest County, Pennsylvania was $50,090.
What was the median household income in Forest County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Forest County, Pennsylvania was $41,544.
What is the Gini coefficient in Forest County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Forest County is 0.671. 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 Forest County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 28% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $7,596 since 2009.