Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 87% 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 | Summers County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,472 | $57,886 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,883 | $52,671 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 2.6% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.3% | 7.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Summers County is about 27% lower than in West Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Summers County (2.6%/yr) than in West Virginia (4.4%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Summers 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 Summers County, West Virginia grew by 55.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $42,472 in 2023. That's an average of about 2.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Summers County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Summers County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.548 | 0.560 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $48,023 | $59,493 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,007 | $45,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.5% | 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 Summers County, it is 0.548, 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 14% more than women's income in Summers County, West Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $210,560 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Summers County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 32% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,124 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Summers County | West Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 31 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 207 people are unemployed in Summers County, West Virginia.
The average commute time in Summers County is 31 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in West Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Summers County, West Virginia has fallen from 5.8% to 5.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Summers County, West Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than West Virginia, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Summers County, West Virginia.
How Rich Is Summers County, West Virginia?
Summers 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 $42,472, about 27% lower than the West Virginia average of $57,886.
What is the current median household income in Summers County, West Virginia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Summers County, West Virginia is $42,472.
What was the median household income in Summers County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Summers County, West Virginia was $42,472.
What was the median household income in Summers County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Summers County, West Virginia was $37,389.
What is the Gini coefficient in Summers County, West Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Summers County is 0.548. 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 Summers County, West Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Summers County, West Virginia has narrowed from about 32% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,124 since 2009.