Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Marion County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $34,529 | $66,957 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,074 | $53,955 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 1.9% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.5% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Marion County is about 48% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Marion County (1.9%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 2% of adults in Marion 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 Marion County, South Carolina grew by 16.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $34,529 in 2023. That's an average of about 1.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Marion County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Marion County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.572 | 0.557 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $46,701 | $60,785 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $38,567 | $47,591 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.4% | 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 Marion County, it is 0.572, higher than South Carolina's 0.557, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Marion County, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $284,690 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Marion County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 20% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,129 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Marion County | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.5% | 10.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 26 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 678 people are unemployed in Marion County, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Marion County is 26 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Marion County, South Carolina has fallen from 13.0% to 5.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Marion 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 Marion County, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Marion County, South Carolina?
Marion 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 $34,529, about 48% lower than the South Carolina average of $66,957.
What is the current median household income in Marion County, South Carolina?
As of 2023, the median household income in Marion County, South Carolina is $34,529.
What was the median household income in Marion County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Marion County, South Carolina was $34,529.
What was the median household income in Marion County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Marion County, South Carolina was $31,046.
What is the Gini coefficient in Marion County, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Marion County is 0.572. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Marion County, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Marion County, South Carolina has narrowed from about 20% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,129 since 2009.