Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 92% of counties in Virginia
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 | Sussex County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,293 | $91,409 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,001 | $68,517 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.1% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.1% | 17.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sussex County is about 29% lower than in Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Sussex County (8.1%/yr) than in Virginia (4.6%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Sussex 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 Sussex County, Virginia grew by 75.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,293 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sussex County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sussex County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.588 | 0.565 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,740 | $76,014 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,414 | $60,748 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -5.4% | 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 Sussex County, it is 0.588, higher than Virginia's 0.565, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 5% more than men's income in Sussex County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 5% wage gap accumulates to roughly $93,590 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sussex County, Virginia has narrowed from about 21% to -5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $9,735 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sussex County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.1% | 16.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 33 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 199 people are unemployed in Sussex County, Virginia.
The average commute time in Sussex County is 33 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sussex County, Virginia has fallen from 9.4% to 4.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sussex County, Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it worse than Virginia, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Sussex County, Virginia.
How Rich Is Sussex County, Virginia?
Sussex 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 $65,293, about 29% lower than the Virginia average of $91,409.
What is the current median household income in Sussex County, Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sussex County, Virginia is $65,293.
What was the median household income in Sussex County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sussex County, Virginia was $65,293.
What was the median household income in Sussex County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sussex County, Virginia was $52,941.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sussex County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Sussex County is 0.588. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Sussex County, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sussex County, Virginia has narrowed from about 21% to -5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $9,735 since 2009.