Wealth Index
Among the top 5 wealthiest counties in Texas
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 | Fort Bend County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $113,998 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $72,539 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.2% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 19.0% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fort Bend County is about 49% higher than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Fort Bend County (3.2%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 19% of adults in Fort Bend County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Texas average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas grew by 40.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $113,998 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Fort Bend County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Fort Bend County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.597 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $86,070 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $62,093 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.9% | 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 Fort Bend County, it is 0.597, higher than Texas's 0.587, 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 39% more than women's income in Fort Bend County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 39% wage gap accumulates to roughly $839,195 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Bend County, Texas has widened from about 25% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $9,963 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fort Bend County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.9% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 31 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 21,883 people are unemployed in Fort Bend County, Texas.
The average commute time in Fort Bend County is 31 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fort Bend County, Texas has fallen from 5.1% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fort Bend County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Texas, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Fort Bend County, Texas.
How Rich Is Fort Bend County, Texas?
Fort Bend County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $113,998, about 49% higher than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas is $113,998.
What was the median household income in Fort Bend County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas was $113,998.
What was the median household income in Fort Bend County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas was $100,216.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fort Bend County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Fort Bend County is 0.597. 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 Fort Bend County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Bend County, Texas has widened from about 25% to 28% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $9,963 since 2009.