Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 84% 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 | Yakima County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,440 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,094 | $74,356 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.1% | 18.1% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Yakima County is about 29% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Yakima County (5.7%/yr) than in Washington (6.0%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Yakima 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 Yakima County, Washington grew by 60.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,440 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Yakima County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.543 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,790 | $82,830 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $45,711 | $65,517 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 18.1% | 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 Yakima County, it is 0.543, 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 22% more than women's income in Yakima County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $352,765 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Yakima County, Washington has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,852 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 8,418 people are unemployed in Yakima County, Washington.
The average commute time in Yakima County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Yakima County, Washington has fallen from 10.4% to 7.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Yakima County, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Washington, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Yakima County, Washington.
How Rich Is Yakima County, Washington?
Yakima County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $67,440, about 29% lower than the Washington average of $95,177.
What is the current median household income in Yakima County, Washington?
As of 2023, the median household income in Yakima County, Washington is $67,440.
What was the median household income in Yakima County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Yakima County, Washington was $67,440.
What was the median household income in Yakima County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Yakima County, Washington was $55,129.
What is the Gini coefficient in Yakima County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Yakima County is 0.543. 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 Yakima County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Yakima County, Washington has narrowed from about 22% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,852 since 2009.