In the large and eclectic mosaic that’s America, every county tells its personal distinctive story, interwoven with threads of hope, ambition, desires, and typically, stark contrasts. But in each state, there exists a county the place these contrasts are most palpable — the place the divide between the opulent and the struggling isn’t just a mere line however a chasm. These are the counties with the highest revenue inequality, and their tales are a mirrored image of the broader American narrative, laying naked the challenges and complexities of the very promise of the American Dream.
Using knowledge sources from the Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (the newest knowledge obtainable), we analyzed each single U.S. state when it comes to the county with the highest revenue inequality, as measured by its Gini index. The Gini index or Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of a distribution, on this case revenue, with a price of 0 expressing complete equality and a price of 1 complete inequality. A larger Gini index signifies better inequality.
Read on the discover out the county with the worst revenue inequality in every state in addition to what patterns and themes emerge that may higher inform us about revenue inequality in America basically.
Alabama
County with highest revenue inequality: Pike County
Gini index: 0.5323
Median family revenue: $40,106
Mean family revenue: $65,204
Pike County is centered on the metropolis of Troy, house to Troy University and one other instance of how faculty cities typically function excessive revenue inequality. Pike County is in southeastern Alabama, somewhat over 50 miles from Montgomery. Incomes are closely divided, with 57.6% of households incomes lower than $50,000 a yr whereas a full 20% of households earn $100,000 or extra. The county’s three largest industries by employment embrace Retail Trade, accounting for 14.5% of the workforce; Educational Services, accounting for 13.1% of the workforce; and Manufacturing, accounting for 11.9%. The county seat — Troy — itself reveals robust revenue stratification, having a big hole between its median family revenue of $36,409 and its imply family revenue of $68,288. What’s extra, 58.7% of Troy households earn lower than $50,000 per yr towards 20.5% who earn $100,000 or extra.
Alaska
County with highest revenue inequality: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Gini index: 0.4752
Median family revenue: $43,405
Mean family revenue: $57,989
Alaska isn’t divided up into counties as is the case in most different U.S. states. Instead, it’s composed of a collection of boroughs and Census Areas. In our research of the counties with the highest revenue inequality in every state, Alaska’s equal is Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. This census space covers an enormous quantity of land in central Alaska, boasting an space of almost 148,000 sq. miles. Its two largest cities are Galena and Fort Yukon, each located on the Yukon River, however with Galena far downstream to the southwest of Fort Yukon. The Gini index for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area — 0.4752 — is lower than the 0.4818 index for the U.S. as a complete, and subsequently this Alaskan census space is relatively much less unequal than many different counties on this research. Hence, the hole between its median family revenue and imply family revenue is smaller than, for instance, Pike County’s hole; and the latter county, not coincidentally, has a better Gini coefficient.
Arizona
County with highest revenue inequality: Apache County
Gini index: 0.5055
Median family revenue: $34,788
Mean family revenue: $48,645
Apache County covers the northeast nook of Arizona and is formed like a tall rectangle. The majority of the county is occupied by a portion of the federally acknowledged Fort Apache Reservation and Navajo Nation. Out of the 50 highest revenue inequality counties in our research, Apache County’s Gini index of 0.5055 ranks 34th, which implies it’s towards the much less excessive facet of inequality. That stated, Apache County is extra unequal than the nationwide Gini index of 0.4818. Rather than being a county polarized into impoverished households on one hand and super-wealthy households on the different, Apache County has excessive revenue inequality on account of the startlingly excessive share of households incomes lower than $10,000 — 19.9% — contrasted with the excessive share of middle-income households, with 24% incomes $50,000 to $99,999. The high three industries by employment are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, representing 15.7% of the workforce; Health Care & Social Assistance, accounting for 15.4%; and Manufacturing, accounting for 10.9%.
Arkansas
County with highest revenue inequality: Lee County
Gini index: 0.5806
Median family revenue: $29,082
Mean family revenue: $54,648
Lee County is in east-central Arkansas, with its jap border being the Mississippi River. Centered on the county seat of Marianna, Lee County’s Gini coefficient of 0.5806 made it rank No. 6 out of fifty, having certainly one of the highest charges of revenue inequality in the research. Although its common family revenue of $54,648 is way decrease than the U.S.’s corresponding determine of $97,196, it’s the hole between Lee County’s median and imply family revenue — which is over $25,500 — that actually stands out. More than two-thirds of households (67.4%) earn lower than $50,000, towards 18.5% that earn $50,000 to $99,999 and 14.1% that earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
California
County with highest revenue inequality: Tehama County
Gini index: 0.5145
Median family revenue: $52,901
Mean family revenue: $79,138
Tehama County is in northern California, centered on the county seat of Red Bluff, roughly a two-hour drive north of Sacramento. Tehama County’s Gini index is roughly 7% larger than the U.S. Gini index of 0.4818, however when in comparison with the different 49 counties on this research, Tehama County’s revenue inequality is on the decrease finish of the spectrum. Tehama County encompasses a very massive share of middle-income households incomes $50,000 to $74,999 — 17.4% of all households. Yet, at the similar time, Tehama County is house to 47.6% of households incomes lower than $50,000 alongside 23.1% of households incomes $100,000 or extra. The county’s major three industries are Health Care & Social Assistance, which employs 13.9% of the workforce; Retail Trade, which employs 13.2% of the workforce; and Manufacturing, which employs 9.27% of the workforce.
Colorado
County with highest revenue inequality: Pitkin County
Gini index: 0.5480
Median family revenue: $92,708
Mean family revenue: $172,473
The county seat and largest metropolis in Pitkin County is Aspen, certainly one of the most well-known and prosperous ski resort cities in the U.S. That Pitkin County is house to a spot like Aspen and has the highest revenue inequality of all counties in Colorado highlights a extra common theme of trip and resort areas additionally tending to function higher-than-average revenue inequality. In Pitkin County, the distribution of incomes may be very skewed, with a couple of fifth (21.9%) of households incomes $200,000 or extra per yr. Furthermore, the share of households that earn lower than $100,000 is roughly 52.4% versus households that earn $100,000 or extra, which is 47.5%.
Connecticut
County with highest revenue inequality: Fairfield County
Gini index: 0.5425
Median family revenue: $101,194
Mean family revenue: $164,837
Connecticut’s highest revenue inequality county — Fairfield County — is the additionally most populous county in Connecticut. Its location makes it notably fascinating, because it stretches from the southwestern nook of the state, proper subsequent to New York City, eastward to embody 4 of Connecticut’s largest cities, together with Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, and Danbury. Fairfield County incorporates, for instance, the metropolis of Greenwich, which is certainly one of the most prosperous locations in the U.S., in addition to bigger city areas which have witnessed a decline in inhabitants and wealth over a number of many years. An unbelievable 23.9% of households in Fairfield County have a median family revenue of $200,000 or extra. And greater than half (50.5%) of households earn $100,000 or extra a yr.
Delaware
County with highest revenue inequality: Sussex County
Gini index: 0.4594
Median family revenue: $68,886
Mean family revenue: $92,069
Compared to the nation’s general revenue inequality — with a Gini index of 0.4818 — Sussex County is perhaps the most unequal in Delaware, nevertheless it’s much less unequal than America as a complete. You can see this in the breakdown of revenue distribution. Approximately 36.4% of households earn lower than $50,000, adopted by 32.1% of households that earn from $50,000 to $99,999, and lastly, 31.5% of households that earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
Florida
County with highest revenue inequality: Hardee County
Gini index: 0.5343
Median family revenue: $41,395
Mean family revenue: $65,000
Florida has for someday been a state riddled with revenue inequality. And the county with the best revenue inequality is Hardee County, which is positioned proper in Central Florida, southeast of the Tampa Bay metro space and northeast of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers space. Its county seat is Wauchula, located on U.S. Route 17 in Florida. Incomes basically in Hardee County are on the decrease facet, however there may be nonetheless substantial inequality, with greater than half of households (56.6%) incomes lower than $50,000 a yr, whereas 28.3% of households earn between $50,000 and $100,000, and 15.1% of households earn $100,000 or extra.
Georgia
County with highest revenue inequality: Macon County
Gini index: 0.5796
Median family revenue: $33,163
Mean family revenue: $56,218
Out of the 50 counties in our research, Macon County has the seventh highest stage of revenue inequality, with a Gini coefficient of 0.5796, considerably larger than the nationwide Gini coefficient of 0.4818. A staggering 17.7% of households in Macon County earn lower than $10,000 a yr, with 64.5% of households incomes lower than $50,000 a yr. This is in distinction to greater than a fifth of households (21.7%) that earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a yr, plus 13.6% of households that earn $100,000 or extra a yr. According to Data USA, the high industries by employment of the county’s workforce are Manufacturing (123.2%), Health Care & Social Assistance (13.7%), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (10.2%).
Hawaii
County with highest revenue inequality: Hawaii County
Gini index: 0.4747
Median family revenue: $68,399
Mean family revenue: $91,885
Hawaii’s most unequal county when it comes to revenue — Hawaii County — really has the third lowest revenue inequality of the 50 counties in our listing. With a Gini index of 0.4747, revenue inequality in Hawaii County is decrease than the nationwide common. And this usually low inequality is mirrored in the knowledge. Approximately 37.2% of households in Hawaii County earn lower than $50,000, whereas 30.3% of households earn $50,000 to $99,999, and at the high, 32.5% of households earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
Idaho
County with highest revenue inequality: Madison County
Gini index: 0.4909 (40th highest)
Median family revenue: $53,498
Mean family revenue: $77,337
The county with the best revenue inequality in Idaho — Madison County — has a stage of inequality very corresponding to the nationwide common. With a Gini index of 0.4909, Madison County is just barely extra unequal than the U.S. general (Gini index of 0.4818). Just below 1 / 4 of all households (24.1%) earn $100,000 or extra per yr, however the largest portion is made up of households incomes $100,000 to $149,999 (16%), limiting the quantity of actually high-earners in Madison County. A little below half of all households (46.4%) earn lower than $50,000 per yr, whereas 29.7% of households earn $50,000 to $99,999.
Illinois
County with highest revenue inequality: Gallatin County
Gini index: 0.5286 (25th highest)
Median family revenue:
Mean family revenue: $92,069
Located in the far southeast of Illinois, Gallatin County is the county with the highest revenue inequality in Illinois. Overall, it ranks proper smack in the center, 25th highest out of fifty. Nearly half of all households (48.4%) earn lower than $50,000 a yr, whereas greater than a fifth (21.2%) earn $100,000 or extra a yr. The county’s high industries by employment are Retail Trade (18.2% of the workforce), Health Care & Social Assistance (14.5%), and Manufacturing (12.9%).
Indiana
County with highest revenue inequality: Blackford County
Gini index: 0.4847 (44th highest)
Median family revenue: $45,080
Mean family revenue: $61,505
The humorous factor about the county with the highest revenue inequality in Indiana is that it’s not that unequal. Its Gini index of 0.4847 is just barely larger than the nationwide determine of 0.4818. There’s a really strong middle-income inhabitants in Blackford County, with 30.3% of households incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 versus the true high-earners, these incomes $100,000 or extra a yr, who make up 16% of all households. More than half of all households (53.7%) in Blackford County earn lower than $50,000 a yr.
Iowa
County with highest revenue inequality: Adams County
Gini index: 0.5072 (33rd highest)
Median family revenue: $57,981
Mean family revenue: $85,877
In the grand scheme of issues, Iowa’s most unequal county is on the decrease finish of the general rankings. Iowa’s county with the highest revenue inequality — Adams County — was 33rd out of fifty, so it’s not notably infamous. And this is sensible, as a result of with a Gini coefficient of 0.5072, Adams County is near the midpoint between zero (full revenue equality) and one (full revenue inequality).
Adams County does function a recurring attribute: Its major industries, when it comes to share of the workforce employed, are a mix of healthcare and first sectors, on this case the breakdown was Health Care & Social Assistance (22.2%), Manufacturing (17.1%), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (13.3%).
Kansas
County with highest revenue inequality: Meade County
Gini index: 0.5423 (19th highest)
Median family revenue: $66,042
Mean family revenue: $113,325
Located in southwestern Kansas, Meade County is an fascinating entry on our listing of the county with the highest revenue inequality in every state. Here, there’s a strong middle-income section, with 39.4% of households in Meade County incomes $50,000 to $99,999. At the similar time, there’s a sizable upper-income section, with 26.4% of households incomes $100,000 or extra — and, notably, 7.8% of all households earned $200,000 or extra.
The top-employing industries in Meade County are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (17.2% of the workforce), Health Care & Social Assistance (15.2% of the workforce), and Educational Services (12% of the work pressure). Another startling knowledge level is the hole between imply and median family revenue in Meade County, equal to a greater than $47,000 distinction.
Kentucky
County with highest revenue inequality: Knox County
Gini index: 0.5503 (13th highest)
Median family revenue: $29,206
Mean family revenue: $47,979
Located in Appalachia, in southeastern Kentucky, Knox County is a notable coal-producing city. The largest industries in Knox County by employment are Health Care & Social Assistance (18.1%), Retail Trade (13.9%), and Educational Services (12.2%). Meanwhile, the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (0.661% of the workforce), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining 0.486% of the workforce), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 2.99% of the workforce).
While Knox County has the highest revenue inequality in the state of Kentucky, this county shouldn’t be like a Versailles-style ultra-wealthy on one pole and completely poor at the different pole. Approximately 67.2% of households in Knox County earn lower than $50,000 a yr. This is pitted towards 21.6% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 a yr and the 11.1% of households that earn $100,000 or extra. This county’s Gini index is sort of excessive, so excessive that the stage of revenue inequality in Knox County enabled it to put 13th out of fifty.
Louisiana
County with highest revenue inequality: East Carroll Parish
Gini index: 0.6860
Median family revenue: $25,049
Mean family revenue: $60,718
Located in the northeast nook of Louisiana, with its parish seat in the metropolis of Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish is definitely the county with the highest revenue inequality. Indeed, out of all 50 counties in the research, East Carroll Parish has the second highest Gini index. Compared to America’s Gini index of 0.4818, East Carroll Parish’s revenue inequality is roughly 42% larger than the nationwide stage. The big $35,669 hole between median and imply family revenue shouldn’t come as a shock when a spot has a Gini coefficient this excessive. More than two-thirds (68.6%) of households in East Carroll Parish earn lower than $50,000, whereas one other 18.4% earn between $50,000 and $100,000 and 13.1% earn $100,000 or extra a yr. Health Care & Social Assistance (21.7% of the workforce), Public Administration (13.4% of the workforce), Retail Trade (11.6% of the workforce), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (9.46% of the workforce) are the high industries when it comes to employment.
Maine
County with highest revenue inequality: Aroostook County
Gini index: 0.4624
Median family revenue: $47,278
Mean family revenue: $63.636
Out of all 50 counties included in our listing of the counties with the highest revenue inequality in every state, Maine’s Aroostook County ranked as the second lowest when it comes to revenue inequality. Aroostook County’s Gini index of 0.4624 is lower than the U.S. Gini index of 0.4818.
Maryland
County with highest revenue inequality: Talbot County
Gini index: 0.4983
Median family revenue: $79,349
Mean family revenue: $116,514
Talbot County is located on the central Eastern Shore of Maryland, throughout the Chesapeake from cities like Annapolis and Washington, D.C. Although Talbot County’s Gini coefficient of 0.4983 makes it the county with the highest revenue inequality in Maryland, in the grand scheme, its inequality isn’t too dangerous (it ranks 37th out of fifty, and its Gini index is just barely larger than the U.S. general). As such, the distribution of family incomes is pretty balanced, with 30.7% of households incomes lower than $50,000 per yr, 30.5% incomes between $50,000 and $100,000, and 38.9% incomes $100,000 or extra.
Massachusetts
County with highest revenue inequality: Suffolk County
Gini index: 0.5281
Median family revenue: $80,260
Mean family revenue: $116,843
Suffolk County covers a lot of the Boston space, together with the metropolis of Boston correct, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Suffolk is the county with the highest revenue inequality in Massachusetts, but its incomes notably skew in direction of the excessive finish. For occasion, greater than a 3rd (35.6%) of households earn lower than $50,000, whereas one other 23% of households earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a yr. However, each these segments are overshadowed by the 41.4% of households that earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
Michigan
County with highest revenue inequality: Wayne County
Gini index: 0.4906
Median family revenue: $52,830
Mean family revenue: $74,894
Wayne County covers a lot of the Detroit metro space, stretching down in the southwest to West Sumpter, in the northwest to Northville, and the northeast to Grosse Pointe; the county’s jap border is the border with Canada. Although its revenue inequality exceeds each different county in Michigan, Wayne County solely has a Gini index of 0.4906, which isn’t a lot larger than the U.S.’s Gini index of 0.4818. The hole between median and common family revenue isn’t too nice, with 47.6% of households incomes lower than $50,000, 28.4% of households incomes $50,000 to $99,999, and 24% of households incomes $100,000 or extra.
Minnesota
County with highest revenue inequality: Stevens County
Gini index: 0.5123
Median family revenue: $65,750
Mean family revenue: $95,156
Stevens County is positioned far on the market, in western, central Minnesota, proper close to the Lake Traverse Reservation. There is a spot of virtually $30,000 between median family revenue and common family revenue. This distortion of the imply family revenue upward for Stevens County is due primarily to the 28.3% of households that earn not less than $100,000 a yr or extra. In addition to them, 33% of households earn $50,000 to $99,999, whereas 38.6% of households earn lower than $50,000. The three main industries by employment, in line with Data USA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15.8%), Educational Services (14.9%), and Manufacturing (13.4%).
Mississippi
County with highest revenue inequality: Humphreys County
Gini index: 0.5727
Median family revenue: $30,327
Mean family revenue: $55,909
Out of all 50 counties included in our listing of the counties with the highest revenue inequality in each state, Humphreys County in Mississippi ranked as the eighth highest when it comes to revenue inequality. Humphreys County’s Gini index of 0.5727 is significantly larger than the U.S. Gini index of 0.4818. According to Data USA, the high three industries in Humphreys County by employment are Health Care & Social Assistance (15.8% of the workforce), Manufacturing (15.8% of the workforce), and Retail Trade (10.6% of the workforce). The revenue distribution in Humphreys County may be very lopsided, with almost 70% (69.6%) of households incomes lower than $50,000 a yr, whereas 18% of households earn from $50,000 to $99,999 and one other 12.4% earn $100,000 or extra.
Missouri
County with highest revenue inequality: Adair County
Gini index: 0.5515
Median family revenue: $46,639
Mean family revenue: $71,907
Centered on Kirksville, in northeastern Missouri, Adair County has the highest revenue inequality in the state and ranks 12th out of fifty counties when it comes to its inequality. The revenue distribution amongst households in Adair County may be very uneven, with 52.6% of households incomes lower than $50,000 per yr, towards 28.1% of households incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 per yr, and 19.4% of households incomes $100,000 or extra.
Montana
County with highest revenue inequality: Judith Basin County
Gini index: 0.5195
Median family revenue: $51,691
Mean family revenue: $74,560
Judith Basin County is about as near the lifeless heart of Montana as a county can get. With its county seat at the city of Stanford, Judith Basin County is fairly removed from Montana’s greater cities, being, as an example, roughly 160 miles from Billings, the state’s largest metropolis. Judith Basin County has an intriguing employment breakdown. For instance, the high occupational position in Judith Basin County is Management Occupations, accounting for 32.1% of the workforce. At the similar time, the high business by employment is Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, which accounts for 41% of the workforce. Income inequality in Judith Basin County is fueled by uneven distribution, with 48.7% of households incomes lower than $50,000, whereas at the similar time, greater than a fifth of households (21.5%) earn $100,000 or extra — certainly, nearly 11% of households earn $200,000 or extra.
Nebraska
County with highest revenue inequality: Fillmore County
Gini index: 0.4931
Median family revenue: $66,410
Mean family revenue: $96,007
Named for President Millard Fillmore, Fillmore County has the highest revenue inequality in the state, however in the general scheme of issues, its Gini index of 0.4931 signifies that it’s not that unequal. According to Data USA, the major industries by employment embrace Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (14.7% of the workforce), Health Care & Social Assistance (13.4% of the workforce), and Retail Trade (11.6% of the workforce). While 28.3% of households earn $100,000 or extra per yr in Fillmore County, that is balanced by the 38.4% of households incomes lower than $50,000 and the 33.3% of households incomes $50,000 to $99,999 a yr.
Nevada
County with highest revenue inequality: Storey County
Gini index: 0.4752
Median family revenue: $66,713
Mean family revenue: $93,984
Storey County is concurrently certainly one of the least populated counties in Nevada and certainly one of the quickest rising economies. Compared to the different counties on our listing and nation basically, Nevada’s most unequal county doesn’t endure from a excessive fee of revenue inequality. The revenue distribution over all households in Storey County is pretty even, with 37.6% of households incomes lower than $50,000 a yr, 29.9% incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 a yr, and 32.5% incomes $100,000 or extra a yr.
New Hampshire
County with highest revenue inequality: Grafton County
Gini index: 0.4900
Median family revenue: $73,755
Mean family revenue: $102,862
New Hampshire’s county with the best revenue inequality has a Gini index that’s solely barely larger than the U.S.’s Gini index of 0.4818. Still, with a Gini coefficient of 0.4900, Grafton County has the highest revenue inequality in the state. Both median and common family incomes are one the larger facet. More than one third of households (35.3%) earn lower than $50,000 per yr, whereas a comparable 34.1% of households earn $100,000 or extra per yr. In the center is the 30.6% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 a yr.
New Jersey
County with highest revenue inequality: Essex County
Gini index: 0.5483
Median family revenue: $67,826
Mean family revenue: $112,403
The county in New Jersey with the highest revenue inequality — Essex County — has certainly one of the largest gaps between its common family revenue ($112,403) and median family revenue ($67,826): A distinction of $44,577. This isn’t too shocking as soon as you recognize what areas the county covers: Northeastern New Jersey, simply exterior New York City, stretching from Newark in the east, to East and West Orange in the heart, to Fairfield in the far northwest. This space consists of a number of cities which have grown in each inhabitants and wealth on account of the spillover from the New York City space, with extra folks keen to stay in North Jersey and work in the Big Apple slightly than stay in the latter; the space additionally consists of loads of cities nonetheless recovering or stagnating from deindustrialization. Incomes are polarized between households incomes lower than $50,000 (38.7% of households) and people incomes $100,000 or extra (35.8% of households).
New Mexico
County with highest revenue inequality: Harding County
Gini index: 0.7279
Median family revenue: $35,900
Mean family revenue: $142,117
Harding County is certainly one of the least populated counties in the U.S. Located out in the northeast of New Mexico, Harding County’s Gini index of 0.7279 is the highest in the entire research. No doubt the low inhabitants helps distort the imbalance of revenue distribution in Harding County. Just shy of two-thirds of households (65.4%) earn lower than $50,000 per yr. Against this there may be the 15.3% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 a yr and the 19.3% of households that earn $100,000 or extra a yr. What’s even crazier is that a couple of in 10 households earn $200,000 or extra.
New York
County with highest revenue inequality: New York County
Gini index: 0.5968
Median family revenue: $93,956
Mean family revenue: $172,695
New York County, if truth be told, is simply the borough of Manhattan. Hence, its extraordinarily excessive median and imply family incomes, and its extremely excessive Gini index of 0.5968, the fourth highest in the research. Household incomes are closely skewed towards the excessive finish, with 47.9% of all households incomes $100,000 or extra a yr. Moreover, almost 1 / 4 of all households (24.9%) earn $200,000 or extra a yr. Meanwhile, 32.1% of households earn lower than $50,000 per yr and squeezed in between is the 20% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 per yr.
North Carolina
County with highest revenue inequality: Bertie County
Gini index: 0.5517
Median family revenue: $37,571
Mean family revenue: $59,138
With a Gini coefficient of 0.5517, Bertie County has the highest revenue inequality in North Carolina; and out of the 50 counties in our remaining listing, Bertie County’s inequality was 11th highest. The county seat is positioned at Windsor, with Bertie County’s jap border being delimited by the Albemarle Sound and Chowan Rivers. Both median and common family incomes are very a lot on the low facet, and an astonishing 19.5% of households earn $15,000 to $24,999. The portion of households that earn lower than $50,000 a yr is 62.7%, whereas greater than a fifth (22.6%) of households earn $50,000 to $100,000 a yr. Finally, there’s a small although not insignificant proportion of households — 14.6% — that earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
North Dakota
County with highest revenue inequality: Cavalier County
Gini index: 0.5476
Median family revenue: $60,284
Mean family revenue: $105,220
North Dakota’s county with the highest revenue inequality is positioned up north, alongside the Canadian border, between 120 and 130 miles from Winnepeg. The hole between common family revenue ($105,220) and median family revenue ($60,284) is substantial, at $44,936. There is roughly the similar share of households that earn between $50,000 and $100,000 (30.2%) as households that earn $100,000 or extra a yr (30.7%).
Ohio
County with highest revenue inequality: Noble County
Gini index: 0.5122
Median family revenue: $46,144
Mean family revenue: $70,433
The county with the highest revenue inequality in Ohio is Noble County, which is centered on the county seat of Caldwell in addition to on Interstate 77, which runs by it north-to-south. The county’s high industries by employment, in line with Data USA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17.6% of the workforce), Manufacturing (14.9% of the workforce), and Retail Trade (14% of the workforce). Close to a fifth of all households (19.1%) earn $100,000 or extra per yr, whereas greater than half of all households (53.4%) earn lower than $50,000 per yr.
Oklahoma
County with highest revenue inequality: Roger Mills County
Gini index: 0.5496
Median family revenue: $58,385
Mean family revenue: $90,856
About 130 miles west of Oklahoma City, Roger Mills County lies on the border with the Texas Panhandle. The county’s Gini coefficient of 0.5496 places on amongst the high 15 counties with the highest revenue inequality in the research. Roger Mills County has a strong pillar of middle-income earners, with 19.1% of households making $50,000 to $75,000 a yr. However, there’s additionally a substantial proportion of households incomes $100,000 or extra — 23.6% of households. Meanwhile, 45.8% of households earn lower than $50,000 a yr.
Oregon
County with highest revenue inequality: Wasco County
Gini index: 0.4817
Median family revenue: $57,853
Mean family revenue: $83,885
Wasco County, positioned in Oregon, boasts the highest revenue inequality of all counties in the state, but its Gini coefficient of 0.4817 is sort of an identical to the nationwide determine of 0.4818. Delving into the numbers reveals a deeper story: While the median family revenue in the county sits at $57,853, the imply swells to a a lot larger $83,885, indicating that there are households with incomes significantly above the common. This is additional evidenced by the undeniable fact that 42.7% of households earn lower than $50,000 yearly, portray an image of a good portion of the inhabitants struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, 34.4% of households fall into the $50,000 to $99,999 bracket, and a notable 22.9% command incomes of $100,000 or extra a yr.
Pennsylvania
County with highest revenue inequality: Philadelphia County
Gini index: 0.5178
Median family revenue: $52,649
Mean family revenue: $77,454
Like its identify suggests, Philadelphia County is centered upon and covers the whole metropolis of Philadelphia. With a Gini index of 0.5178, revenue inequality in Philadelphia County is worse than the U.S.’s general stage, however it’s nonetheless extra equal than most of the 50 counties to make our listing (rating 28th out of fifty). A little over one in 10 households (10.7%) earn lower than $10,000 per yr and 48.1% of households earn lower than $50,000 per yr. This is considerably balanced by the 27.7% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 per yr and the 24.1% of households that earn $100,000 or extra.
Rhode Island
County with highest revenue inequality: Bristol County
Gini index: 0.4890
Median family revenue: $95,102
Mean family revenue: $132,141
Similar to different New England states, the county with the highest revenue inequality in Rhode Island — Bristol County — doesn’t have that dangerous of a Gini index: 0.4890 versus the U.S.’s 0.4818. Bristol County is simply southeast of Providence, protecting key cities like Bristol, Warren, and Barrington. The county is definitely a high-income place, with each the median and common family incomes being above their corresponding nationwide figures. As such, just below half of all households (47.7%) earn $100,000 or extra a yr, in comparison with 26.3% of households incomes $50,000 to $99,999 and 26.1% of households incomes lower than $50,000 a yr.
South Carolina
County with highest revenue inequality: Charleston County
Gini index: 0.5158
Median family revenue: $70,807
Mean family revenue: $108,070
Charleston County covers excess of simply Charleston or its fast environs. The county stretches roughly 40 miles northeast of the metropolis of Charleston and covers a large swathe of land to the west. Charleston County has the highest revenue inequality of any county in South Carolina, however that is primarily on account of family incomes being skewed in direction of the larger finish. For occasion, roughly the similar proportion of households in Charleston County earn lower than $50,000 a yr (36.2% of households) as do those who earn $100,000 or extra (36% of households). In the center is 27.8% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 per yr.
South Dakota
County with highest revenue inequality: McPherson County
Gini index: 0.5457
Median family revenue: $54,324
Mean family revenue: $86,710
McPherson County is positioned in northern South Dakota and lies alongside the border with North Dakota. It’s a small county with solely a pair thousand inhabitants. The distribution of incomes by family is throughout the place in McPherson County, with peaks like 15.6% of households incomes $15,000 to $24,999 and 19.4% of households incomes $50,000 to $74,999 in addition to 15.5% of households incomes $100,000 to $149,999 a yr, intermixed with valleys of low percentages. According to Data USA, the three major industries by employment embrace Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (22.9% of the workforce), Health Care & Social Assistance (15.7% of the workforce), and Construction (11.2% of the workforce).
Tennessee
County with highest revenue inequality: Hancock County
Gini index: 0.5585
Median family revenue: $29,650
Mean family revenue: $57,955
Reportedly the fourth least populated county in Tennessee, Hancock County has the ninth highest stage of revenue inequality in the research. With its county seat at Sneedville, Hancock County lies in northeastern Tennessee, bordering the western tail of Virginia. The revenue inequality right here is much less pushed by a disproportionate variety of high-earning households, and extra pushed by imbalances between lower-income households and middle-income households. For instance, 26.7% of households in Hancock County earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a yr, however an enormous 63.8% of households earn lower than $50,000 a yr. Indeed, just below one fifth of all households (19.6%) earn $15,000 to $24,999 a yr.
Texas
County with highest revenue inequality: Sherman County
Gini index: 0.5881
Median family revenue: $55,667
Mean family revenue: $111,110
Located in the Texas Panhandle, due north of Amarillo, lies Sherman County. Sporting a Gini index of 0.5881, revenue inequality in Sherman County is the fifth highest in the research. The hole between the common family revenue ($111,110) and the median family revenue ($55,667) is a gigantic $55,443. And whereas 29.5% of households earn incomes of $50,000 to $99,999 per yr, that determine is definitely matched by the 24.9% of households that earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
Utah
County with highest revenue inequality: Summit County
Gini index: 0.5044
Median family revenue: $116,351
Mean family revenue: $176,064
Summit County is a sprawling entity, stretching far into jap Utah in addition to west, encompassing the prosperous metropolis of Park City, which like Aspen in Colorado’s most unequal county, is house to world-renowned ski resorts. Therefore, Summit County’s excessive revenue inequality is because of incomes being skewed towards the larger facet. An unbelievable 55.9% of households in Summit County earn $100,000 or extra a yr, in comparison with 24.7% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999, and simply 19.3% of households that earn lower than $50,000.
Vermont
County with highest revenue inequality: Lamoille County
Gini index: 0.5000
Median family revenue: $66,016
Mean family revenue: $98,015
Located east the metropolis of Burlington and Lake Champlain, and never too removed from the Canadian border, Lamoille County is Vermont’s most unequal county when it comes to revenue. Interestingly, its Gini index of 0.5000 is correct at the midpoint of the Gini index’s scale from zero to at least one. There is a considerable hole between common family revenue and median family revenue, of roughly $32,000. This is due largely to the 30.6% of households that earn $100,000 or extra a yr versus the 32.5% that earn between $50,000 and $100,000, and the 36.8% that earn lower than $50,000 a yr.
Virginia
County with highest revenue inequality: Charles City County
Gini index: 0.5194
Median family revenue: $59,543
Mean family revenue: $87,501
Charles City County lies alongside the banks of the James River, which kinds its southern border, together with the Chickahominy River forming its jap one. This Virginia county is located in between Richmond and Newport News. Just over one quarter of the households in Charles City County earn $100,000 or extra a yr. This is counterbalanced by almost two-fifths (39.6%) of households that earn lower than $50,000 a yr and one other 35.3% of households that earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a yr. The county’s major industries, in line with Data USA, are Manufacturing (12.5% of the workforce), Retail Trade (10.9% of the workforce), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10.2% of the workforce).
Washington
County with highest revenue inequality: San Juan County
Gini index: 0.5377
Median family revenue: $68,577
Mean family revenue: $110,926
Situated in the Salish Sea and not less than a three-hour drive north by northwest of Seattle, San Juan County has the worst revenue inequality in Washington state. Just over a 3rd of all households (33.9%) earn $100,000 or extra a yr, and a full 11% of households earn $200,000 or extra. This stands towards 30% of households that earn $50,000 to $99,999 and 36.1% of households that earn lower than $50,000 a yr. According to Data USA, the main industries when it comes to employment are Construction (13.5% of the workforce), Accommodation & Food Services (9.46% of the workforce), and Retail Trade (9.17% of the workforce).
West Virginia
County with highest revenue inequality: Pleasants County
Gini index: 0.5551
Median family revenue: $58,433
Mean family revenue: $97,696
The county with the highest revenue inequality in West Virginia — Pleasants County — is in northern West Virginia, alongside the border with Ohio and never removed from the metropolis of Marietta on the Ohio River. With a Gini index of 0.5551, Pleasants County’s stage of revenue inequality is the 10th highest in the research. A surprisingly excessive proportion of households in the county — 28.5% — earn $100,000 or extra per yr. Meanwhile, a comparable share of households earn $50,000 to $99,999 — 29.4%. On the low finish, 42.2% of households earn lower than $50,000 a yr.
Wisconsin
County with highest revenue inequality: Sawyer County
Gini index: 0.4921
Median family revenue: $53,011
Mean family revenue: $77,394
Located in northwestern Wisconsin, Sawyer County partially overlaps with the reservation of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Although its Gini coefficient of 0.4921 makes Sawyer County the one with the highest revenue inequality in Wisconsin, in comparison with the nationwide general, the county’s stage of inequality isn’t too dangerous. Income distribution amongst households in Sawyer County takes on a bell-shaped curve: 46% of households earns lower than $50,000; 34% of households earn between $50,000 and $100,000; and 20% of households earn $100,000 or extra per yr.
Wyoming
County with highest revenue inequality: Teton County
Gini index: 0.5297
Median family revenue: $94,498
Mean family revenue: $159,027
Similar to Colorado’s most unequal county — Pitkin County, house to Aspen — and Utah’s most unequal county — Summit County, house to Park City — Teton County is house to the luxurious and distinguished Jackson Hole ski space. The excessive incomes of the inhabitants of this space are a chief contributor to the skew of revenue distribution towards the excessive finish. Nearly half of all households (47.5%) earn $100,000 or extra, whereas solely 20.5% of households earn lower than $50,000 a yr and 31.9% of households earn $50,000 to $99,999 a yr.