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 | Kittitas County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,461 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $66,668 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.0% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Kittitas County is about 26% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Kittitas County (5.7%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Kittitas 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 Kittitas County, Washington grew by 71.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $70,461 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Kittitas County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Kittitas County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.570 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $72,249 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $55,991 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.5% | 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 Kittitas County, it is 0.570, higher than Washington's 0.554, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 29% more than women's income in Kittitas County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $569,030 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kittitas County, Washington has narrowed from about 28% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,106 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Kittitas County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.2% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,183 people are unemployed in Kittitas County, Washington.
The average commute time in Kittitas County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Kittitas County, Washington has fallen from 8.7% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Kittitas 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 Kittitas County, Washington.
How Rich Is Kittitas County, Washington?
Kittitas 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 $70,461, about 26% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Kittitas County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Kittitas County, Washington is $70,461.
What was the median household income in Kittitas County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Kittitas County, Washington was $70,461.
What was the median household income in Kittitas County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Kittitas County, Washington was $59,714.
What is the Gini coefficient in Kittitas County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Kittitas County is 0.570. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Kittitas County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kittitas County, Washington has narrowed from about 28% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,106 since 2009.