Wealth Index
Wealthier than 81% of 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 | Harris County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,272 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,403 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.4% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Harris County is about 4% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Harris County (3.9%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Harris County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Texas average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Harris County, Texas grew by 44.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $73,272 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Harris County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Harris County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.592 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $62,024 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,900 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.3% | 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 Harris County, it is 0.592, 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 20% more than women's income in Harris County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $354,340 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Harris County, Texas has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 16%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,422 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Harris County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.4% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 158,006 people are unemployed in Harris County, Texas.
The average commute time in Harris County is 27 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Harris County, Texas has fallen from 7.6% to 6.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Harris County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than Texas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Harris County, Texas.
How Rich Is Harris County, Texas?
Harris 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 $73,272, about 4% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Harris County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Harris County, Texas is $73,272.
What was the median household income in Harris County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Harris County, Texas was $73,272.
What was the median household income in Harris County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Harris County, Texas was $63,372.
What is the Gini coefficient in Harris County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Harris County is 0.592. 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 Harris County, Texas?
The income gap between men and women in Harris County, Texas has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 16%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,422 since 2009.