Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy 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 | Forest County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,677 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,757 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Forest County is about 21% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing faster in Forest County (5.3%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Forest 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 Forest County, Wisconsin grew by 62.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,677 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Forest County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Forest County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.510 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,196 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,856 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.0% | 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 Forest County, it is 0.510, 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 11% more than women's income in Forest County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $186,900 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 22% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,636 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Forest County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.5% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 135 people are unemployed in Forest County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Forest County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Forest County, Wisconsin has fallen from 8.0% to 3.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Forest County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Wisconsin, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Forest County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Forest County, Wisconsin?
Forest 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 $59,677, about 21% lower than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Forest County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Forest County, Wisconsin is $59,677.
What was the median household income in Forest County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Forest County, Wisconsin was $59,677.
What was the median household income in Forest County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Forest County, Wisconsin was $48,382.
What is the Gini coefficient in Forest County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Forest County is 0.510. 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 Forest County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Forest County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 22% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,636 since 2009.