Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 94% 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 | Starr County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $37,984 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $36,754 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 2.8% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Starr County is about 50% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Starr County (5.1%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 3% of adults in Starr 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 Starr County, Texas grew by 75.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $37,984 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Starr County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Starr County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.616 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $40,899 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $32,752 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.9% | 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 Starr County, it is 0.616, higher than Texas's 0.587, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Starr County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $285,145 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Starr County, Texas has narrowed from about 24% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,675 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Starr County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.8% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,917 people are unemployed in Starr County, Texas.
The average commute time in Starr County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Starr County, Texas has risen from 10.3% to 10.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Starr 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 Starr County, Texas.
How Rich Is Starr County, Texas?
Starr 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 $37,984, about 50% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Starr County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Starr County, Texas is $37,984.
What was the median household income in Starr County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Starr County, Texas was $37,984.
What was the median household income in Starr County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Starr County, Texas was $31,015.
What is the Gini coefficient in Starr County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Starr County is 0.616. 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 Starr County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Starr County, Texas has narrowed from about 24% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,675 since 2009.