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 | Laurens County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,130 | $66,957 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $47,830 | $53,955 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.0% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Laurens County is about 16% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Laurens County (5.1%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Laurens 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 Laurens County, South Carolina grew by 44.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,130 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Laurens County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Laurens County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.536 | 0.557 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $52,698 | $60,785 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,971 | $47,591 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.6% | 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 Laurens County, it is 0.536, 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 20% more than women's income in Laurens County, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $305,445 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Laurens County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 26% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,170 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Laurens County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.8% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,405 people are unemployed in Laurens County, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Laurens County is 22 minutes, about the same as in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Laurens County, South Carolina has fallen from 12.8% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Laurens 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 Laurens County, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Laurens County, South Carolina?
Laurens 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 $56,130, about 16% lower than the South Carolina average of $66,957.
What is the current median household income in Laurens County, South Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Laurens County, South Carolina is $56,130.
What was the median household income in Laurens County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Laurens County, South Carolina was $56,130.
What was the median household income in Laurens County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Laurens County, South Carolina was $44,382.
What is the Gini coefficient in Laurens County, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Laurens County is 0.536. 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 Laurens County, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Laurens County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 26% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,170 since 2009.