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 | Walla Walla County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $72,627 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $62,236 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.0% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Walla Walla County is about 24% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Walla Walla County (5.8%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla County, Washington grew by 64.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $72,627 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Walla Walla County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Walla Walla County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.578 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $66,945 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $53,918 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.5% | 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 Walla Walla County, it is 0.578, higher than Washington's 0.554, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Walla Walla County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $455,945 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Walla Walla County, Washington has narrowed from about 22% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,241 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Walla Walla County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.2% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 11 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,698 people are unemployed in Walla Walla County, Washington.
The average commute time in Walla Walla County is 11 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Walla Walla County, Washington has fallen from 6.5% to 5.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla County, Washington.
How Rich Is Walla Walla County, Washington?
Walla Walla 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 $72,627, about 24% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Walla Walla County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Walla Walla County, Washington is $72,627.
What was the median household income in Walla Walla County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Walla Walla County, Washington was $72,627.
What was the median household income in Walla Walla County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Walla Walla County, Washington was $60,628.
What is the Gini coefficient in Walla Walla County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Walla Walla County is 0.578. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Walla Walla County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Walla Walla County, Washington has narrowed from about 22% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,241 since 2009.