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 | Wharton County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,115 | $76,510 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $52,533 | $58,415 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.2% | 12.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wharton County is about 14% lower than in Texas. Income has been growing faster in Wharton County (5.3%/yr) than in Texas (4.8%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Wharton 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 Wharton County, Texas grew by 52.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,115 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Wharton County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Wharton County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.569 | 0.587 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,911 | $64,517 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,226 | $51,419 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.8% | 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 Wharton County, it is 0.569, 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 23% more than women's income in Wharton County, Texas. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $373,975 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wharton County, Texas has narrowed from about 35% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,572 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wharton County | Texas Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.6% | 12.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,364 people are unemployed in Wharton County, Texas.
The average commute time in Wharton County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Texas.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wharton County, Texas has risen from 6.4% to 7.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wharton 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 Wharton County, Texas.
How Rich Is Wharton County, Texas?
Wharton 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 $66,115, about 14% lower than the Texas average of $76,510.
What is the current median household income in Wharton County, Texas?
As of 2023, the median household income in Wharton County, Texas is $66,115.
What was the median household income in Wharton County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wharton County, Texas was $66,115.
What was the median household income in Wharton County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wharton County, Texas was $51,758.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wharton County, Texas?
The Gini coefficient in Wharton County is 0.569. 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 Wharton County, Texas?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wharton County, Texas has narrowed from about 35% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,572 since 2009.