Wealth Index
Wealthier 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 | Lehigh County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $77,935 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,135 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.0% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lehigh County is about 2% higher than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing slower in Lehigh County (4.3%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Lehigh County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Pennsylvania average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania grew by 44.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $77,935 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lehigh County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lehigh County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.547 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $66,229 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,377 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.9% | 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 Lehigh County, it is 0.547, about the same as Pennsylvania's 0.550, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 26% more than women's income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $484,820 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $203 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lehigh County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.1% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 10,725 people are unemployed in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Lehigh County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 8.7% to 5.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Pennsylvania, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?
Lehigh 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 $77,935, about 2% higher than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is $77,935.
What was the median household income in Lehigh County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was $77,935.
What was the median household income in Lehigh County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was $66,409.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Lehigh County is 0.547. 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 Lehigh County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 27% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $203 since 2009.