Wealth Index
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 | Jackson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,783 | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,894 | $52,671 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.3% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.5% | 7.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jackson County is about 5% lower than in West Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Jackson County (4.3%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.4%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Jackson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the West Virginia average of 7%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jackson County, West Virginia grew by 28.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $54,783 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Jackson County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Jackson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.569 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $63,378 | $59,493 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $47,959 | $45,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 24.3% | 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 Jackson County, it is 0.569, 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 32% more than women's income in Jackson County, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 32% wage gap accumulates to roughly $539,665 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jackson County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 25% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,626 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jackson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.9% | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 467 people are unemployed in Jackson County, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Jackson County is 23 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jackson County, West Virginia has fallen from 8.5% to 4.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jackson 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 Jackson County, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Jackson County, West Virginia?
Jackson 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 $54,783, about 5% lower than the West Virginia average of $57,886.
What is the current median household income in Jackson County, West Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Jackson County, West Virginia is $54,783.
What was the median household income in Jackson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jackson County, West Virginia was $54,783.
What was the median household income in Jackson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jackson County, West Virginia was $48,991.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jackson County, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Jackson County is 0.569. 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 Jackson County, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jackson County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 25% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,626 since 2009.