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 | Decatur County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $45,806 | $67,486 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,337 | $54,029 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.9% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 3.3% | 9.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Decatur County is about 32% lower than in Tennessee. Income has been growing slower in Decatur County (2.9%/yr) than in Tennessee (5.4%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Decatur County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Tennessee average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee grew by 80.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $45,806 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Decatur County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Decatur County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.538 | 0.558 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $45,656 | $60,097 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,739 | $48,310 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 8.6% | 19.6% | 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 Decatur County, it is 0.538, lower than Tennessee's 0.558, 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 9% more than women's income in Decatur County, Tennessee. Over a 35-year career, a 9% wage gap accumulates to roughly $137,095 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Decatur County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 21% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,207 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Decatur County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.8% | 11.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 385 people are unemployed in Decatur County, Tennessee.
The average commute time in Decatur County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Tennessee.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Decatur County, Tennessee has fallen from 14.3% to 8.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Decatur County, Tennessee has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Tennessee, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Decatur County, Tennessee.
How Rich Is Decatur County, Tennessee?
Decatur 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 $45,806, about 32% lower than the Tennessee average of $67,486.
What is the current median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee?
As of 2023, the median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee is $45,806.
What was the median household income in Decatur County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee was $45,806.
What was the median household income in Decatur County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee was $40,381.
What is the Gini coefficient in Decatur County, Tennessee?
The Gini coefficient in Decatur County is 0.538. 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 Decatur County, Tennessee?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Decatur County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 21% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,207 since 2009.