Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Potter County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,843 | $76,231 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,228 | $63,240 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.1% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Potter County is about 21% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing faster in Potter County (5.6%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.7%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Potter 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 Potter County, Pennsylvania grew by 61.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,843 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Potter County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Potter County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.519 | 0.550 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,367 | $69,913 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,754 | $55,807 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.8% | 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 Potter County, it is 0.519, 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 30% more than women's income in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $441,455 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Potter County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 24% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,007 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Potter County | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.6% | 13.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 328 people are unemployed in Potter County, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Potter County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Potter County, Pennsylvania has fallen from 8.5% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Potter 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 Potter County, Pennsylvania.
How Rich Is Potter County, Pennsylvania?
Potter 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 $59,843, about 21% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $76,231.
What is the current median household income in Potter County, Pennsylvania?
As of 2023, the median household income in Potter County, Pennsylvania is $59,843.
What was the median household income in Potter County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Potter County, Pennsylvania was $59,843.
What was the median household income in Potter County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Potter County, Pennsylvania was $47,878.
What is the Gini coefficient in Potter County, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Potter County is 0.519. 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 Potter County, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Potter County, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 24% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,007 since 2009.