Wealth Index
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 | Rusk County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,510 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,460 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Rusk County is about 13% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Rusk County (4.9%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Rusk 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 Rusk County, Texas grew by 50.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,510 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Rusk County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Rusk County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.591 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,947 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,621 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 28.9% | 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 Rusk County, it is 0.591, about the same as Texas's 0.587, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 41% more than women's income in Rusk County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 41% wage gap accumulates to roughly $606,410 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rusk County, Texas has narrowed from about 36% to 29% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,589 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Rusk County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.6% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 842 people are unemployed in Rusk County, Texas.
The average commute time in Rusk County is 22 minutes, about the same as in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Rusk County, Texas has fallen from 4.8% to 3.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Rusk County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Texas, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Rusk County, Texas.
How Rich Is Rusk County, Texas?
Rusk 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 $66,510, about 13% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Rusk County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Rusk County, Texas is $66,510.
What was the median household income in Rusk County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Rusk County, Texas was $66,510.
What was the median household income in Rusk County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Rusk County, Texas was $56,561.
What is the Gini coefficient in Rusk County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Rusk County is 0.591. 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 Rusk County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rusk County, Texas has narrowed from about 36% to 29% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,589 since 2009.