Wealth Index
Wealthier than 82% of counties in Washington
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 | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $93,531 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $71,284 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 14.9% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Thurston County is about 2% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Thurston County (5.8%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 15% of adults in Thurston 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 Thurston County, Washington grew by 57.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $93,531 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Thurston County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $77,232 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $64,692 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.2% | 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 Thurston County, it is 0.537, 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 19% more than women's income in Thurston County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $438,900 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Washington has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $430 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.3% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 7,504 people are unemployed in Thurston County, Washington.
The average commute time in Thurston County is 22 minutes, about the same as in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Thurston County, Washington has fallen from 7.3% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Thurston County, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Washington, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Thurston County, Washington.
How Rich Is Thurston County, Washington?
Thurston 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 $93,531, about 2% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Thurston County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington is $93,531.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington was $93,531.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington was $75,896.
What is the Gini coefficient in Thurston County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Thurston County is 0.537. 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 Thurston County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Washington has narrowed from about 24% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $430 since 2009.