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 | Bennington County | Vermont Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,015 | $78,253 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $58,917 | $62,394 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.0% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.2% | 11.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bennington County is about 8% lower than in Vermont. Income has been growing faster in Bennington County (5.0%/yr) than in Vermont (4.8%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Bennington County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Vermont average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bennington County, Vermont grew by 55.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $72,015 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bennington County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bennington County | Vermont Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.531 | 0.519 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,280 | $65,455 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $59,656 | $58,889 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -2.4% | 10.0% | 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 Bennington County, it is 0.531, higher than Vermont's 0.519, so income is less 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 2% more than men's income in Bennington County, Vermont. Over a 35-year career, a 2% wage gap accumulates to roughly $48,160 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bennington County, Vermont has narrowed from about 21% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $10,234 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bennington County | Vermont Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.2% | 15.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 778 people are unemployed in Bennington County, Vermont.
The average commute time in Bennington County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Vermont.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bennington County, Vermont has fallen from 6.6% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bennington County, Vermont has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Vermont, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bennington County, Vermont.
How Rich Is Bennington County, Vermont?
Bennington County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $72,015, about 8% lower than the Vermont average of $78,253.
What is the current median household income in Bennington County, Vermont?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bennington County, Vermont is $72,015.
What was the median household income in Bennington County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bennington County, Vermont was $72,015.
What was the median household income in Bennington County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bennington County, Vermont was $58,818.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bennington County, Vermont?
The Gini coefficient in Bennington County is 0.531. 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 Bennington County, Vermont?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bennington County, Vermont has narrowed from about 21% to -2% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $10,234 since 2009.