Wealth Index
Wealthier than 88% 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 | Hays County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $85,972 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,436 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.2% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.6% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Hays County is about 12% higher than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Hays County (5.2%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Hays 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 Hays County, Texas grew by 64.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $85,972 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in Hays County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Hays County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.571 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,963 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $54,466 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.4% | 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 Hays County, it is 0.571, lower than Texas's 0.587, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Hays County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $402,395 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hays County, Texas has narrowed from about 19% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,560 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Hays County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 16.2% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 6,430 people are unemployed in Hays County, Texas.
The average commute time in Hays County is 28 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Hays County, Texas has fallen from 7.0% to 4.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Hays 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 Hays County, Texas.
How Rich Is Hays County, Texas?
Hays 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 $85,972, about 12% higher than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Hays County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Hays County, Texas is $85,972.
What was the median household income in Hays County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Hays County, Texas was $85,972.
What was the median household income in Hays County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Hays County, Texas was $69,109.
What is the Gini coefficient in Hays County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Hays County is 0.571. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Hays County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hays County, Texas has narrowed from about 19% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,560 since 2009.