INTERACTIVE: Where RI Household Incomes Have Risen the Most

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

GoLocalProv and FindTheBest

 

View Larger +

Here Are the Counties Where Household Income Has Risen the Most in Rhode Island American households are making more money today than they did three decades ago—in some places, a lot more. In order to find out which places have seen the greatest increase in household income, we turned to the National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS), which uses historical reports from the decennial Census and the American Community Survey to track median income over time. Research site MooseRoots then adjusted all the data to 2015 dollars to filter out the effects of inflation. On the whole, households in northeastern states have seen the largest income increase since 1980, with New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont ranking among the top five. South Dakota and the District of Columbia round out the top list. In each case, household income has risen over 30% in just 30 years. Only a handful of states have seen median household incomes actually decrease since 1980—and several of them are in the Midwest. For a big-picture perspective on the changes across the nation, Mooseroots created heat maps to show the 30-year transformation, both in absolute dollars and percent change. You can use the toggle menu below to adjust the metric.

 

On the extreme ends, Massachusetts household income rose over $18,000 in three decades, while household income in Michigan dropped by about $5,000. Meanwhile, the median increase across the whole nation was $6,280. Unfortunately, this picture of economic prosperity gets a lot less rosy the more you look at extra caveats and context. The American household as a whole might be making more now, but young Americans are making less. The rise of technology and automation has eliminated the need for many blue-collar jobs, the sort of positions once filled by non-college-educated young workers. While this change has impacted Michigan the most, the trend holds true across the nation. Next, consider that the cost of living has risen most rapidly in coastal states like California and New York. With the notable exception of South Dakota, the rise in median income has struggled to match the rise of home prices, college tuition and other life expenses, effectively canceling out the gains. So while households today earn more money, they tend to have higher expenses as well. Here are the 5 counties in Rhode Island where median household income has increased the most since 1980. 5. Newport County - Median income change: $23,460 (48.8%).

 

4. Washington County - Median income change: $22,499 (43.5%).

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
 

3. Bristol County - Median income change: $19,857 (37.5%).

 

2. Kent County - Median income change: $10,729 (20.4%).

 

1. Providence County - Median income change: $8,082 (19.1%).

 

Here are the 5 counties in Rhode Island where median household income has increased the most since 1980. 5. Providence County - Median income change: $8,082 (19.1%).

 

4. Kent County - Median income change: $10,729 (20.4%).

 

3. Bristol County - Median income change: $19,857 (37.5%).

 

2. Washington County - Median income change: $22,499 (43.5%).

 

1. Newport County - Median income change: $23,460 (48.8%).

 
 
 
 

Related Slideshow: The Wealth Gap in RI Cities and Towns

The below slides list the most financially unequal cities and towns in Rhode Island, in order of least to most unequal. For each community, the percent of residents at the very bottom and the very top of the income scale are listed. In addition, the median income, which is the amount made by those in the middle, and the percent of those at the median are also provided for each community. The degree of inequality is measured by comparing the combined percent of those at the top and bottom with the percent of those in the middle. If the total percent of those at the top and bottom exceeds that for the middle, the community is has greater financial inequality than the one where most income earners are in the middle. Scores above 1 indicate greater financial inequality. Scores below 1 indicate less. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

39.

Hopkinton 

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.0%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.4%

Median income: $67,022

% in Median bracket: 23.6%

Inequality Score: 0.00

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

38.

Charlestown

Percent earning under $14,999: 6.0%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.8%

Median income: $69,349

% in Median bracket:19.5%

Inequality Score: 0.81

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

37.

Burrillville

Percent earning under $14,999: 8.1%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.6%

Median income: $62,188

% in Median bracket: 20.7%

Inequality Score: 0.86

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

36.

Warwick

Percent earning under $14,999: 9.5%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.1%

Median income: $62,295

% in Median bracket: 21.2%

Inequality Score: 0.88

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

35.

Coventry

Percent earning under $14,999: 9.0%

Percent earning over: $150,000: 9.2%

Median income: $65,565

% in Median bracket: 20.1%

Inequality Score: 0.91

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

34.

Foster

Percent earning under $14,999: 4.2%

Percent earning over $150,000:17.4%

Median income: $81,651

% in Median bracket: 23.5%

Inequality Score: 0.92

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

33.

Glocester

Percent earning under $14,999: 4.8%

Percent earning over $150,000: 11.6%

Median income: $80,942

% in Median bracket: 17.7%

Inequality Score: 0.93

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

32.

North Providence

Percent earning under $14,999: 13.1%

Percent earning over $150,000: 5.8%

Median income: $51,470

% in Median bracket: 19.6%

Inequality Score: 0.96

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

31.

Westerly

Percent earning under $14,999: 7.9%

Percent earning over $150,000: 11.5%

Median income: $60,532

% in Median bracket:18.5%

Inequality Score: 1.05

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

30.

New Shoreham

Percent earning under $14,999: 3.8 %

Percent earning over $150,000: 20.7%

Median income: $90,491

% in Median bracket: 23.0%

Inequality Score: 1.07

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

29.

Warren 

Percent earning under $14,999: 11.3%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.3%

Median income: $54,295

% in Median bracket: 18.8%

Inequality Score: 1.10

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

28.

Smithfield

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.2%

Percent earnng over $150,000: 16.0%

Median income: $74,000

% in Median bracket: 19.3%

Inequality Score: 1.10

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

27.

West Greenwich

Percent earning under $14,999: 2.9%

Percent earning over $150,000: 17.1%

Median income: $78,438

% in Median bracket: 18.1%

Inequality Score: 1.10

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

26.

Richmond

Percent earning under $14,999: 4.5%

Percent earning over $150,000: 20.2%

Median income: $93,975

% in Median bracket: 22.2%

Inequality Score: 1.11

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

25.

West Warwick

Percent earning under $14,999: 14.5%

Percent earning over $150,000: 4.4%

Median income: $50,590

% in Median bracket: 16.4%

Inequality Score: 1.15

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

24.

Middletown

Percent earning under $14,999: 9.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 13.8%

Median income: $69,784

% in Median bracket: 19.3%

Inequality Score: 1.19

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

23.

Cranston

Percent earning under $14,999: 10.8%

Percent earning over $150,000: 9.6%

Median income: $60,283

% in Median bracket: 17.1%

Inequality Score: 1.19

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

22.

Tiverton

Percent earning under $14,999: 7.7%

Percent earning over $150,000: 11.6%

Median income: $73,085

% in Median bracket: 15.6%

Inequality Score: 1.24

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

21.

North Smithfield

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.7%

Percent earning over $150,000: 15.3%

Median income: $77,378

% in Median bracket: 16.4%

Inequality Score: 1.28

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

20.

Cumberland

Percent earning under $14,999: 8.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 14.5%

Median income: $72,160

% in Median bracket: 17.3%

Inequality Score: 1.31

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

19.

Scituate

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.7%

Percent earnng over $150,000: 16.7%

Median income: $78,980

% in Median bracket: 16.7%

Inequality Score: 1.34

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal. 

View Larger +
Prev Next

18.

East Providence

Percent earning under $14,999: 13.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 6.3%

Median income: $48,521

% in Median bracket: 14.2%

Inequality Score: 1.37

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

17.

Johnston

Percent earning under $14,999: 14.9%

Percent earning over $150,000: 8.6%

Median income: $56,343

% in Median bracket: 16.8%

Inequality Score: 1.40

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

16.

Newport

Percent earning under $14,999: 9.1%

Percent earning over $150,000: 15.2%

Median income: $71,713

% in Median bracket: 17.3%

Inequality Score: 1.40

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

15.

South Kingstown

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.8%

Percent earning over $150,000: 18.9%

Median income: $73,780

% in Median bracket: 17.4%

Inequaltiy Score: 1.42

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

14.

Barrington

Percent earning under $14,999: 2.7%

Percent earning over $150,000: 30.1%

Median income: $103,696

% in Median bracket: 21.8%

Inequality Score: 1.50

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

13.

Bristol

Percent earning under $14,999: 13.9%

Percent earning over $150,000: 11.9%

Median income: $62,358

% in Median bracket: 16.6%

Inequality Score: 1.55

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

12.

Narragansett

Percent earning under $14,999: 9.3%

Percent earning over $150,000: 17.2%

Median income: $66,600

% in Median bracket: 16.9%

Inequality Score: 1.57

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

11.

Exeter

Percent earning under $14,999: 6.8%

Percent earning over $150,000: 16.3%

Median income: $81,591

% in Median bracket: 14.6%

Inequality Score: 1.58

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

10.

Pawtucket

Percent earning under $14,999: 20.1%

Percent earning over $150,000: 3.7%

Median income: $40,379

% in Median bracket: 14.6%

Inequality Score: 1.63

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

9.

Lincoln

Percent earning under $14,999: 7.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 18.1%

Median income: $72,434

% in Median bracket: 15.4%

Inequality Score: 1.64

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

8.

Portsmouth

Percent earning under $14,999: 8.6%

Percent earning over $150,000: 21.8%

Median income: $74,487

% in Median bracket: 17.9%

Inequality Score: 1.70

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

7.

Central Falls

Percent earning under $14,999: 23.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 0.9%

Median income: $27,993

% in Median bracket: 13.7%

Inequality Score: 1.76

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

6.

North Kingstown

Percent earning under $14,999: 6.7%

Percent earning over $150,000: 20.2%

Median income: $80,530

% in Median bracket: 14.3%

Inequality Score: 1.88

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

5.

Woonsocket

Percent earning under $14,999: 23.6%

Percent earning over $150,000: 3.2%

Median income: $36,058

% in Median income: 13.2%

Inequality Score: 2.03

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

4.

Little Compton

Percent earning under $14,999: 7.2%

Percent earning over $150,000: 21.7%

Median income: $85,852

% in Median income: 13.0%

Inequality Score: 2.22

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

3.

Providence

Percent earning under $14,999: 24.6%

Percent earning over $150,000: 6.8%

Median income: $37,632

% in Median income: 12.7%

Inequality Score: 2.47

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

2.

Jamestown

Percent earning under $14,999: 8.6%

Percent earning over $150,000: 25.3%

Median income: $90,484

% in Median income: 13.2%

Inequality Score: 2.57

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

View Larger +
Prev Next

1.

East Greenwich

Percent earning under $14,999: 5.9%

Percent earning over $150,000: 33.1%

Median income: $96,438

% in Median income: 11.2%

Inequality Score: 3.48

Score Key: Figures above 1 correspond to more inequality. Scores under 1 mean communities are more equal.

 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook