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 | Bell County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,185 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,898 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.5% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.6% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bell County is about 13% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Bell County (3.5%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Bell County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Texas average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bell County, Texas grew by 42.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,185 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bell County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bell County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.548 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,717 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,492 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.0% | 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 Bell County, it is 0.548, lower than Texas's 0.587, 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 18% more than women's income in Bell County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 18% wage gap accumulates to roughly $287,875 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bell County, Texas has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,191 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bell County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.6% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 12,183 people are unemployed in Bell County, Texas.
The average commute time in Bell County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bell County, Texas has fallen from 7.0% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bell County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Texas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bell County, Texas.
How Rich Is Bell County, Texas?
Bell County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $66,185, about 13% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Bell County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bell County, Texas is $66,185.
What was the median household income in Bell County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bell County, Texas was $66,185.
What was the median household income in Bell County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bell County, Texas was $55,907.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bell County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Bell County is 0.548. 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 Bell County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bell County, Texas has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,191 since 2009.