Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 86% 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 | Rusk County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,128 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,008 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.5% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.5% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Rusk County is about 23% lower than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing faster in Rusk County (5.5%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Rusk 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 Rusk County, Wisconsin grew by 53.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $58,128 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Rusk County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Rusk County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.479 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,549 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,467 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 24.9% | 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 Rusk County, it is 0.479, 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 33% more than women's income in Rusk County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 33% wage gap accumulates to roughly $492,870 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rusk County, Wisconsin has widened from about 16% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,650 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Rusk County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.1% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 320 people are unemployed in Rusk County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Rusk County is 18 minutes, about the same as in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Rusk County, Wisconsin has fallen from 8.3% to 4.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Rusk County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Wisconsin, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Rusk County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Rusk County, Wisconsin?
Rusk 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 $58,128, about 23% lower than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Rusk County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Rusk County, Wisconsin is $58,128.
What was the median household income in Rusk County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Rusk County, Wisconsin was $58,128.
What was the median household income in Rusk County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Rusk County, Wisconsin was $49,016.
What is the Gini coefficient in Rusk County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Rusk County is 0.479. 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 Rusk County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rusk County, Wisconsin has widened from about 16% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,650 since 2009.