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 | Chelan County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $77,238 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,193 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.9% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Chelan County is about 19% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Chelan County (5.9%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Chelan County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Washington average of 18%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Chelan County, Washington grew by 64.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $77,238 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Chelan County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Chelan County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.542 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $62,084 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $49,930 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.6% | 20.9% | 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 Chelan County, it is 0.542, lower than Washington's 0.554, 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 24% more than women's income in Chelan County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $425,390 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Chelan County, Washington has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 20%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,962 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Chelan County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.6% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,528 people are unemployed in Chelan County, Washington.
The average commute time in Chelan County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Chelan County, Washington has fallen from 7.6% to 4.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Chelan County, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Washington, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Chelan County, Washington.
How Rich Is Chelan County, Washington?
Chelan 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 $77,238, about 19% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Chelan County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Chelan County, Washington is $77,238.
What was the median household income in Chelan County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Chelan County, Washington was $77,238.
What was the median household income in Chelan County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Chelan County, Washington was $61,413.
What is the Gini coefficient in Chelan County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Chelan County is 0.542. 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 Chelan County, Washington?
The income gap between men and women in Chelan County, Washington has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 20%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,962 since 2009.