Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy counties in Tennessee
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 | Lauderdale County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,265 | $67,486 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,004 | $54,029 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.3% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.4% | 9.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lauderdale County is about 27% lower than in Tennessee. Income has been growing faster in Lauderdale County (6.3%/yr) than in Tennessee (5.4%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, Tennessee grew by 54.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $49,265 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lauderdale County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lauderdale County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.585 | 0.558 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $47,265 | $60,097 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,210 | $48,310 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.7% | 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 Lauderdale County, it is 0.585, higher than Tennessee's 0.558, 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 12% more than women's income in Lauderdale County, Tennessee. Over a 35-year career, a 12% wage gap accumulates to roughly $176,925 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lauderdale County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 25% to 11% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,365 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lauderdale County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 2.6% | 11.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 489 people are unemployed in Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
The average commute time in Lauderdale County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Tennessee.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lauderdale County, Tennessee has fallen from 12.7% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, Tennessee.
How Rich Is Lauderdale County, Tennessee?
Lauderdale 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 $49,265, about 27% lower than the Tennessee average of $67,486.
What is the current median household income in Lauderdale County, Tennessee?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lauderdale County, Tennessee is $49,265.
What was the median household income in Lauderdale County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lauderdale County, Tennessee was $49,265.
What was the median household income in Lauderdale County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lauderdale County, Tennessee was $41,901.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lauderdale County, Tennessee?
The Gini coefficient in Lauderdale County is 0.585. 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 Lauderdale County, Tennessee?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lauderdale County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 25% to 11% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,365 since 2009.