Wealth Index
Wealthier than 90% of counties in Wisconsin
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 | Columbia County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,847 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $61,214 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 8% higher than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing slower in Columbia County (4.3%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Columbia County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbia County, Wisconsin grew by 47.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $81,847 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbia County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbia County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.483 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,857 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $54,068 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.9% | 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 Columbia County, it is 0.483, 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 22% more than women's income in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $412,615 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 23% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,188 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.3% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 946 people are unemployed in Columbia County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Columbia County is 23 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia County, Wisconsin has fallen from 5.8% to 3.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Wisconsin, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Columbia County, Wisconsin?
Columbia 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 $81,847, about 8% higher than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Columbia County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Wisconsin is $81,847.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia County, Wisconsin was $81,847.
What was the median household income in Columbia County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia County, Wisconsin was $69,586.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia County is 0.483. 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 Columbia County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 23% to 18% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,188 since 2009.