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 | Chester County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $51,502 | $66,957 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,115 | $53,955 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Chester County is about 23% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Chester County (6.0%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Chester 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 Chester County, South Carolina grew by 57.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $51,502 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Chester County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Chester County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.551 | 0.557 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $51,181 | $60,785 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,232 | $47,591 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.3% | 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 Chester County, it is 0.551, lower than South Carolina's 0.557, 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 34% more than women's income in Chester County, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 34% wage gap accumulates to roughly $453,215 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chester County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 30% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,781 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Chester County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.3% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 947 people are unemployed in Chester County, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Chester County is 30 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Chester County, South Carolina has fallen from 15.8% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Chester County, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with South Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Chester County, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Chester County, South Carolina?
Chester 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 $51,502, about 23% lower than the South Carolina average of $66,957.
What is the current median household income in Chester County, South Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Chester County, South Carolina is $51,502.
What was the median household income in Chester County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Chester County, South Carolina was $51,502.
What was the median household income in Chester County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Chester County, South Carolina was $43,965.
What is the Gini coefficient in Chester County, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Chester County is 0.551. 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 Chester County, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Chester County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 30% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,781 since 2009.