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 | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $66,762 | $91,409 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,442 | $68,517 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.1% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.7% | 17.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Amherst County is about 27% lower than in Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Amherst County (5.1%/yr) than in Virginia (4.6%/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 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Amherst County, Virginia grew by 45.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $66,762 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Amherst County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.523 | 0.565 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $61,417 | $76,014 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,608 | $60,748 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.5% | 20.1% | 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 Amherst County, it is 0.523, lower than Virginia's 0.565, 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 29% more than women's income in Amherst County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $483,315 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Amherst County, Virginia has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,185 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Amherst County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.2% | 16.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 595 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 3.8% in 2023.
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 $66,762, about 27% lower than the Virginia average of $91,409.
What is the current median household income in Amherst County, Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia is $66,762.
What was the median household income in Amherst County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia was $66,762.
What was the median household income in Amherst County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia was $57,090.
What is the Gini coefficient in Amherst County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Amherst County is 0.523. 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 Amherst County, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Amherst County, Virginia has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,185 since 2009.