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 | Sullivan County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,230 | $67,486 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,687 | $54,029 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.4% | 9.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sullivan County is about 15% lower than in Tennessee. Income has been growing slower in Sullivan County (4.9%/yr) than in Tennessee (5.4%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, Tennessee grew by 45.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,230 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sullivan County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sullivan County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.549 | 0.558 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,827 | $60,097 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,809 | $48,310 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.4% | 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 Sullivan County, it is 0.549, 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 20% more than women's income in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $315,630 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sullivan County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 27% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,080 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sullivan County | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 11.4% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 4,538 people are unemployed in Sullivan County, Tennessee.
The average commute time in Sullivan County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Tennessee.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sullivan County, Tennessee has fallen from 8.1% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sullivan County, Tennessee has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Tennessee, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sullivan County, Tennessee.
How Rich Is Sullivan County, Tennessee?
Sullivan 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 $57,230, about 15% lower than the Tennessee average of $67,486.
What is the current median household income in Sullivan County, Tennessee?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sullivan County, Tennessee is $57,230.
What was the median household income in Sullivan County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sullivan County, Tennessee was $57,230.
What was the median household income in Sullivan County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sullivan County, Tennessee was $47,540.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sullivan County, Tennessee?
The Gini coefficient in Sullivan County is 0.549. 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 Sullivan County, Tennessee?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sullivan County, Tennessee has narrowed from about 27% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,080 since 2009.