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 | Bath County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $63,956 | $91,409 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,925 | $68,517 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.5% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.6% | 17.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bath County is about 30% lower than in Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Bath County (5.5%/yr) than in Virginia (4.6%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Bath 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 Bath County, Virginia grew by 37.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $63,956 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bath County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bath County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.503 | 0.565 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,111 | $76,014 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $67,168 | $60,748 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -19.7% | 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 Bath County, it is 0.503, 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.
Women's income is about 20% more than men's income in Bath County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $386,995 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bath County, Virginia has narrowed from about 23% to -20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $20,099 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bath County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 4.0% | 16.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 35 people are unemployed in Bath County, Virginia.
The average commute time in Bath County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bath County, Virginia has fallen from 2.2% to 2.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bath 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 Bath County, Virginia.
How Rich Is Bath County, Virginia?
Bath 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 $63,956, about 30% lower than the Virginia average of $91,409.
What is the current median household income in Bath County, Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bath County, Virginia is $63,956.
What was the median household income in Bath County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bath County, Virginia was $63,956.
What was the median household income in Bath County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bath County, Virginia was $59,009.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bath County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Bath County is 0.503. 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 Bath County, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bath County, Virginia has narrowed from about 23% to -20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $20,099 since 2009.