Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 72% of counties in West Virginia
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 | Barbour County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,038 | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,436 | $52,671 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 7.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Barbour County is about 17% lower than in West Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Barbour County (4.0%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Barbour County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the West Virginia average of 7%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Barbour County, West Virginia grew by 54.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $48,038 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Barbour County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Barbour County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.567 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,481 | $59,493 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $37,258 | $45,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 24.7% | 23.1% | 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 Barbour County, it is 0.567, higher than West Virginia's 0.560, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 33% more than women's income in Barbour County, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 33% wage gap accumulates to roughly $427,805 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barbour County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 37% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $854 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Barbour County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.3% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 658 people are unemployed in Barbour County, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Barbour County is 25 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Barbour County, West Virginia has risen from 8.3% to 10.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Barbour County, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with West Virginia, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Barbour County, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Barbour County, West Virginia?
Barbour 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 $48,038, about 17% lower than the West Virginia average of $57,886.
What is the current median household income in Barbour County, West Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Barbour County, West Virginia is $48,038.
What was the median household income in Barbour County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Barbour County, West Virginia was $48,038.
What was the median household income in Barbour County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Barbour County, West Virginia was $38,598.
What is the Gini coefficient in Barbour County, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Barbour County is 0.567. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Barbour County, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Barbour County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 37% to 25% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $854 since 2009.