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 | Smith County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $71,717 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,546 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.0% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Smith County is about 6% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Smith County (5.6%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Smith 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 Smith County, Texas grew by 57.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $71,717 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Smith County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Smith County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.574 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,555 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,379 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.9% | 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 Smith County, it is 0.574, 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 35% more than women's income in Smith County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 35% wage gap accumulates to roughly $531,160 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Smith County, Texas has widened from about 25% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,834 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Smith County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.9% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 4,672 people are unemployed in Smith County, Texas.
The average commute time in Smith County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Smith County, Texas has fallen from 7.5% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Smith County, Texas has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Texas, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Smith County, Texas.
How Rich Is Smith County, Texas?
Smith 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 $71,717, about 6% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Smith County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Smith County, Texas is $71,717.
What was the median household income in Smith County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Smith County, Texas was $71,717.
What was the median household income in Smith County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Smith County, Texas was $59,595.
What is the Gini coefficient in Smith County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Smith County is 0.574. 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 Smith County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Smith County, Texas has widened from about 25% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,834 since 2009.