Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 77% 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 | Refugio County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,621 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,705 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.4% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Refugio County is about 25% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing slower in Refugio County (2.1%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Refugio 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 Refugio County, Texas grew by 44.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,621 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Refugio County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Refugio County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.566 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,999 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $37,568 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 37.4% | 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 Refugio County, it is 0.566, 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 60% more than women's income in Refugio County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 60% wage gap accumulates to roughly $785,085 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Refugio County, Texas has narrowed from about 47% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,536 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Refugio County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 2.2% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 162 people are unemployed in Refugio County, Texas.
The average commute time in Refugio County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Refugio County, Texas has fallen from 8.6% to 5.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Refugio County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Texas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Refugio County, Texas.
How Rich Is Refugio County, Texas?
Refugio County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $57,621, about 25% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Refugio County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Refugio County, Texas is $57,621.
What was the median household income in Refugio County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Refugio County, Texas was $57,621.
What was the median household income in Refugio County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Refugio County, Texas was $51,488.
What is the Gini coefficient in Refugio County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Refugio County is 0.566. 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 Refugio County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Refugio County, Texas has narrowed from about 47% to 37% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,536 since 2009.