Wealth Index
Wealthier than 85% 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 | Lavaca County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,437 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,052 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lavaca County is about 18% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Lavaca County (3.8%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Lavaca 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 Lavaca County, Texas grew by 49.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $62,437 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lavaca County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lavaca County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $64,739 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,494 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.1% | 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 Lavaca County, it is 0.537, 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 33% more than women's income in Lavaca County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 33% wage gap accumulates to roughly $568,575 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lavaca County, Texas has narrowed from about 33% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,318 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lavaca County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 295 people are unemployed in Lavaca County, Texas.
The average commute time in Lavaca County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lavaca County, Texas has fallen from 6.1% to 3.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lavaca 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 Lavaca County, Texas.
How Rich Is Lavaca County, Texas?
Lavaca 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 $62,437, about 18% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Lavaca County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lavaca County, Texas is $62,437.
What was the median household income in Lavaca County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lavaca County, Texas was $62,437.
What was the median household income in Lavaca County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lavaca County, Texas was $55,274.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lavaca County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Lavaca County is 0.537. 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 Lavaca County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lavaca County, Texas has narrowed from about 33% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,318 since 2009.