Jefferson County, West Virginia Income Statistics
Jefferson County Wealth Score
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.
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B
Jefferson County Around averageWealthiest county in West Virginia
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Jefferson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $98,855 | $59,640 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $66,075 | $52,420 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.7% | 8.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 15.0% | 5.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Jefferson County is about 66% higher than in West Virginia. Income has been growing faster in Jefferson County (4.3%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.3%/yr).
About 17% of adults in Jefferson County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the West Virginia average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Jefferson County, West Virginia grew by 54.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $98,855 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Jefferson County
| Metric | Jefferson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.539 | 0.554 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $81,203 | $61,809 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $57,584 | $47,573 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.1% | 23.0% | 18.4% |
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 Jefferson County, it is 0.539, lower than West Virginia's 0.554, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 41% more than women's income in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 41% wage gap accumulates to roughly $826,665 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 37% to 29% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 23% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,883 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Jefferson County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.3% | 9.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 32 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,199 people are unemployed in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Jefferson County is 32 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Jefferson County, West Virginia has fallen from 7.3% to 3.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.0% in 2013.
Jefferson County, WV Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Jefferson County, WV is the 4th largest of the 5 counties compared here, 59,260 residents against a local median of 142,610. Jefferson County, WV sits close to the middle of its own neighbourhood. No measure below is more than 15% off the local median, so the choice between these counties turns on things this data does not capture.
The largest of those small differences is income growth, 8% below the local median at 4.3%/yr against 4.7%/yr. Jefferson County, WV has the 4th highest income growth of the 5 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WV | 59,260 | $98,855 #3/5 | 4.3%/yr #4/5 | 3.8% #3/5 | 0.539 #4/5 |
| Berkeley County, WV | 129,514 | $81,771 | 4.6%/yr | 4.7% | 0.517 |
| Clarke County, VA | 15,216 | $111,882 | 5.8%/yr | 2.7% | 0.534 |
| Washington County, MD | 155,706 | $78,373 | 4.2%/yr | 4.2% | 0.551 |
| Loudoun County, VA | 432,991 | $182,384 | 4.8%/yr | 3.3% | 0.509 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Jefferson County, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it notably better than West Virginia, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Jefferson County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $98,855, about 66% higher than the West Virginia average of $59,640.
How fast is household income rising in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Jefferson County, West Virginia rose 54%, from $64,117 to $98,855. Over the same years, income here lagged behind West Virginia as a whole: +54% against +60%.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Jefferson County, West Virginia was $95,438, up 2% from $93,822 in 2022. The West Virginia median that year was $57,884.
What was the median household income in Jefferson County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Jefferson County, West Virginia was $83,352. By 2024 it had risen 19% to $98,855.
Do many residents of Jefferson County, West Virginia earn over $100,000?
Yes. 17% of adults in Jefferson County, West Virginia earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 6), against 8% (about 1 in 13) in West Virginia. 15% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 6% in West Virginia.
How strong is the job market in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Unemployment in Jefferson County, West Virginia is only 3.8%, well below the West Virginia rate of 5.4%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Jefferson County is 0.539. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Jefferson County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 37% to 29% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 23% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,883 since 2009.
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