Wealth Index
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 | Bristol County | Rhode Island Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $109,426 | $86,475 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $86,896 | $67,439 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.2% | 5.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 20.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bristol County is about 27% higher than in Rhode Island. Income has been growing faster in Bristol County (6.2%/yr) than in Rhode Island (5.7%/yr).
About 21% of adults in Bristol County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Rhode Island average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bristol County, Rhode Island grew by 56.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $109,426 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bristol County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bristol County | Rhode Island Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.557 | 0.545 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $102,071 | $72,845 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $73,125 | $60,697 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 28.4% | 16.7% | 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 Bristol County, it is 0.557, higher than Rhode Island's 0.545, 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 40% more than women's income in Bristol County, Rhode Island. Over a 35-year career, a 40% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,013,110 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bristol County, Rhode Island has widened from about 27% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,025 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bristol County | Rhode Island Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.7% | 11.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 828 people are unemployed in Bristol County, Rhode Island.
The average commute time in Bristol County is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in Rhode Island.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bristol County, Rhode Island has fallen from 7.0% to 3.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bristol County, Rhode Island has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Rhode Island, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bristol County, Rhode Island.
How Rich Is Bristol County, Rhode Island?
Bristol 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 $109,426, about 27% higher than the Rhode Island average of $86,475.
What is the current median household income in Bristol County, Rhode Island?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bristol County, Rhode Island is $109,426.
What was the median household income in Bristol County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bristol County, Rhode Island was $109,426.
What was the median household income in Bristol County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bristol County, Rhode Island was $85,596.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bristol County, Rhode Island?
The Gini coefficient in Bristol County is 0.557. 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 Bristol County, Rhode Island?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bristol County, Rhode Island has widened from about 27% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $13,025 since 2009.