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 | Buffalo County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,113 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $53,564 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.7% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Buffalo County is about 10% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing slower in Buffalo County (3.7%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Buffalo County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin grew by 51.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $68,113 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Buffalo County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Buffalo County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.466 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $59,440 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,417 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.9% | 19.3% | 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 Buffalo County, it is 0.466, lower than Wisconsin's 0.516, 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 28% more than women's income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $455,805 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Buffalo County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 28% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,811 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Buffalo County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.4% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 180 people are unemployed in Buffalo County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Buffalo County is 21 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Buffalo County, Wisconsin has fallen from 4.9% to 2.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Buffalo County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Wisconsin, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Buffalo County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Buffalo County, Wisconsin?
Buffalo 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 $68,113, about 10% lower than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin is $68,113.
What was the median household income in Buffalo County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin was $68,113.
What was the median household income in Buffalo County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Buffalo County, Wisconsin was $58,358.
What is the Gini coefficient in Buffalo County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Buffalo County is 0.466. 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 Buffalo County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Buffalo County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 28% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,811 since 2009.