Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 89% of counties in South Dakota
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 | Bennett County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $44,285 | $72,558 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,110 | $55,073 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | -0.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.9% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bennett County is about 39% lower than in South Dakota. Income has been growing slower in Bennett County (-0.3%/yr) than in South Dakota (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Bennett County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Dakota average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bennett County, South Dakota grew by 22.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $44,285 in 2023. That's an average of about 0.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bennett County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bennett County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.592 | 0.512 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,262 | $61,155 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,549 | $48,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.2% | 20.3% | 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 Bennett County, it is 0.592, higher than South Dakota's 0.512, 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 22% more than women's income in Bennett County, South Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $339,955 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bennett County, South Dakota has widened from about 16% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,086 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bennett County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 9.9% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.9% | 9.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 7 | 15 | 22 |
Approximately 117 people are unemployed in Bennett County, South Dakota.
The average commute time in Bennett County is 7 minutes, shorter than the 15 minutes in South Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bennett County, South Dakota has fallen from 20.0% to 9.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bennett County, South Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than South Dakota, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bennett County, South Dakota.
How Rich Is Bennett County, South Dakota?
Bennett 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 $44,285, about 39% lower than the South Dakota average of $72,558.
What is the current median household income in Bennett County, South Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bennett County, South Dakota is $44,285.
What was the median household income in Bennett County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bennett County, South Dakota was $44,285.
What was the median household income in Bennett County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bennett County, South Dakota was $42,597.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bennett County, South Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Bennett County is 0.592. 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 Bennett County, South Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bennett County, South Dakota has widened from about 16% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,086 since 2009.