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 | Cowlitz County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,100 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,410 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.9% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Cowlitz County is about 23% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Cowlitz County (5.9%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County, Washington grew by 57.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $73,100 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Cowlitz County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Cowlitz County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.552 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $73,208 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,636 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.5% | 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 Cowlitz County, it is 0.552, about the same as Washington's 0.554, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 42% more than women's income in Cowlitz County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 42% wage gap accumulates to roughly $755,020 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cowlitz County, Washington has narrowed from about 32% to 29% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,109 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Cowlitz County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.3% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,538 people are unemployed in Cowlitz County, Washington.
The average commute time in Cowlitz County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Cowlitz County, Washington has fallen from 11.5% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Cowlitz County, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Washington, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Cowlitz County, Washington.
How Rich Is Cowlitz County, Washington?
Cowlitz 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 $73,100, about 23% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Cowlitz County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Cowlitz County, Washington is $73,100.
What was the median household income in Cowlitz County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Cowlitz County, Washington was $73,100.
What was the median household income in Cowlitz County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Cowlitz County, Washington was $58,922.
What is the Gini coefficient in Cowlitz County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Cowlitz County is 0.552. 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 Cowlitz County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Cowlitz County, Washington has narrowed from about 32% to 29% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,109 since 2009.