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 | Whatcom County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,505 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,075 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.7% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Whatcom County is about 15% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Whatcom County (5.7%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 13% of adults in Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, Washington grew by 68.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $80,505 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Whatcom County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Whatcom County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.554 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $73,054 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $56,752 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.3% | 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 Whatcom County, it is 0.554, 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 29% more than women's income in Whatcom County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $570,570 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Whatcom County, Washington has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,317 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Whatcom County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.3% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 6,050 people are unemployed in Whatcom County, Washington.
The average commute time in Whatcom County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Whatcom County, Washington has fallen from 8.6% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, Washington.
How Rich Is Whatcom County, Washington?
Whatcom 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 $80,505, about 15% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Whatcom County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Whatcom County, Washington is $80,505.
What was the median household income in Whatcom County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Whatcom County, Washington was $80,505.
What was the median household income in Whatcom County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Whatcom County, Washington was $65,599.
What is the Gini coefficient in Whatcom County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Whatcom County is 0.554. 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 Whatcom County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Whatcom County, Washington has narrowed from about 27% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,317 since 2009.