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 | Sterling County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $85,416 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,930 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.6% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.5% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sterling County is about 12% higher than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Sterling County (8.6%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 17% of adults in Sterling County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Texas average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Sterling County, Texas grew by 123.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $85,416 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sterling County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sterling County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.505 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $91,249 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $34,620 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 62.1% | 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 Sterling County, it is 0.505, 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 164% more than women's income in Sterling County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 164% wage gap accumulates to roughly $1,982,015 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sterling County, Texas has widened from about 27% to 62% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $45,766 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sterling County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.0% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 13 people are unemployed in Sterling County, Texas.
The average commute time in Sterling County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sterling County, Texas has risen from 1.0% to 2.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sterling 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 Sterling County, Texas.
How Rich Is Sterling County, Texas?
Sterling 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 $85,416, about 12% higher than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Sterling County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sterling County, Texas is $85,416.
What was the median household income in Sterling County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sterling County, Texas was $85,416.
What was the median household income in Sterling County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sterling County, Texas was $53,416.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sterling County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Sterling County is 0.505. 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 Sterling County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sterling County, Texas has widened from about 27% to 62% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $45,766 since 2009.