How does county’s income compare with rest of state?

Published 9:41 am Tuesday, June 13, 2017

 

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Shelby County has the highest median household income by a significant margin compared with other counties throughout the state, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

According to the service, Shelby County had a median household income of $70,879 in 2015, which is the most recent year available. Shelby County’s household income is more than 158 percent of the state’s average household income of $44,833.

Shelby County is followed by Madison County at $59,117, Autauga County at $56,580, Limestone County at $55,060, St. Clair County at $53,548, Elmore County at $53,548, Baldwin County at $52,387, Blount County at $50,487, Jefferson County at $48,415 and Tuscaloosa County at $47,868.

The county, like most in Alabama, has also seen its unemployment drop significantly since the nationwide economic recession hit nearly a decade ago.

In 2008, Shelby County had a miniscule 3.7 percent unemployment rate, but the number jumped to 7.8 percent in 2009 and 7.1 percent in 2010 before decreasing to 6.2 percent in 2011, 5 percent in 2012, 4.6 percent in 2013, 4.5 percent in 2014, 4.2 percent in 2015 and 4.4 percent last year.

The county has bested the state unemployment rate every year, as Alabama had an average unemployment rate of 5.7 percent in 2008, 11 percent in 2009, 10.5 percent in 2010, 9.6 percent in 2011, 8 percent in 2012, 7.2 percent in 2013, 6.8 percent in 2014, 6.1 percent in 2015 and 6 percent last year.

To view the entire list, visit Data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17828#P9b9a03be185d460b8a175e8ab2cd769a_3_153iT1.