Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 80% of counties in South Carolina
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 | Barnwell County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,669 | $66,957 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,675 | $53,955 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Barnwell County is about 36% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Barnwell County (3.1%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Barnwell County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Carolina average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina grew by 19.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $42,669 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Barnwell County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Barnwell County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.576 | 0.557 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $60,481 | $60,785 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,763 | $47,591 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 35.9% | 21.7% | 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 Barnwell County, it is 0.576, higher than South Carolina's 0.557, 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 56% more than women's income in Barnwell County, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 56% wage gap accumulates to roughly $760,130 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barnwell County, South Carolina has widened from about 19% to 36% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $14,250 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Barnwell County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 3.1% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 658 people are unemployed in Barnwell County, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Barnwell County is 25 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Barnwell County, South Carolina has fallen from 15.0% to 7.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Barnwell County, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than South Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Barnwell County, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Barnwell County, South Carolina?
Barnwell 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 $42,669, about 36% lower than the South Carolina average of $66,957.
What is the current median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina is $42,669.
What was the median household income in Barnwell County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina was $42,669.
What was the median household income in Barnwell County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Barnwell County, South Carolina was $37,955.
What is the Gini coefficient in Barnwell County, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Barnwell County is 0.576. 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 Barnwell County, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barnwell County, South Carolina has widened from about 19% to 36% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $14,250 since 2009.