Amherst County, Virginia Income Statistics
Amherst County Wealth Score
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.
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C
Amherst County Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,755 | $93,527 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,980 | $68,139 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.7% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.7% | 18.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.2% | 17.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Amherst County is about 28% lower than in Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Amherst County (4.7%/yr) than in Virginia (4.3%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Amherst County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Virginia average of 18%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Amherst County, Virginia grew by 48.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $67,755 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.7% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Amherst County
| Metric | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.518 | 0.544 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $65,002 | $78,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $47,208 | $62,626 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 27.4% | 20.3% | 18.4% |
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 Amherst County, it is 0.518, lower than Virginia's 0.544, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 38% more than women's income in Amherst County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 38% wage gap accumulates to roughly $622,790 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Amherst County, Virginia has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 27%. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 21% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,173 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.1% | 18.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 710 people are unemployed in Amherst County, Virginia.
The average commute time in Amherst County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Amherst County, Virginia has fallen from 7.5% to 4.6% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 7.7% in 2012 and fell as low as 3.8% in 2023.
Amherst County, VA Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
How Amherst County, VA compares with the 2 counties closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst County, VA | 31,478 | $67,755 #2/3 | 4.7%/yr #2/3 | 4.6% #3/3 | 0.518 #2/3 |
| Nelson County, VA | 14,732 | $74,353 | 4.8%/yr | 3.3% | 0.531 |
| Rockbridge County, VA | 22,531 | $65,884 | 3.2%/yr | 3.8% | 0.515 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Amherst County, Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Virginia, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Amherst County, Virginia.
How Wealthy Is Amherst County, Virginia?
Amherst 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 $67,755, about 28% lower than the Virginia average of $93,527.
How has median household income changed in Amherst County, Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia rose 48%, from $45,773 to $67,755. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Virginia as a whole: +48% against +55%.
What was the median household income in Amherst County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia was $66,762, up 4% from $64,309 in 2022. The Virginia median that year was $91,420.
What was the median household income in Amherst County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia was $57,090. By 2024 it had risen 19% to $67,755.
What is the Gini coefficient in Amherst County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Amherst County is 0.518. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Amherst County, Virginia?
The income gap between men and women in Amherst County, Virginia has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 27%. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 21% in 2016. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,173 since 2009.
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