Wealth Index
Wealthier than 89% 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 | Brooke County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $52,418 | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,830 | $52,671 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 1.8% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.8% | 7.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Brooke County is about 9% lower than in West Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Brooke County (1.8%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.4%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Brooke 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 Brooke County, West Virginia grew by 29.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $52,418 in 2023. That's an average of about 1.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Brooke County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Brooke County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.521 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,926 | $59,493 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,275 | $45,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.1% | 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 Brooke County, it is 0.521, lower than West Virginia's 0.560, 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 25% more than women's income in Brooke County, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $407,785 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brooke County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 28% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $509 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Brooke County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.1% | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 615 people are unemployed in Brooke County, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Brooke County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Brooke County, West Virginia has fallen from 10.0% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Brooke County, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than West Virginia, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Brooke County, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Brooke County, West Virginia?
Brooke 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 $52,418, about 9% lower than the West Virginia average of $57,886.
What is the current median household income in Brooke County, West Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Brooke County, West Virginia is $52,418.
What was the median household income in Brooke County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Brooke County, West Virginia was $52,418.
What was the median household income in Brooke County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Brooke County, West Virginia was $47,094.
What is the Gini coefficient in Brooke County, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Brooke County is 0.521. 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 Brooke County, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Brooke County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 28% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $509 since 2009.