Early County Income Charts

This section shows the Early County Georgia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Early County indicates it has a Median earnings of $34,530 which is the second smallest when ranked by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Henry County which depicts a median earnings of $43,225 (25.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Early County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Georgia, median earnings per worker of $49,335, Early County is approximately three-fourths the size.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $39,665 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Henry County which shows a median income of $55,870 (40.9% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Early County is approximately half the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Georgia, median household income of $65,030, Early County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Early County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 9.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 8.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 43.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 38.8 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Calhoun County which depicts an average hours of 41.4 (6.7% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $17.11 which is the second smallest when ranked by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Houston County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $21.24 (24.1% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Early County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Georgia, average hourly earnings of $24.08, Early County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Early County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Early County depicts it has a Self Employed of 7.0% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Miller County which depicts a percentage self employed of 13.4% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest in order of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $35,246 of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metropolitan area when sorted by median income-25 to 44 years at $50,000 of the total. Third, it has in the middle range of other counties in the greater region when ranked by median income-45 to 64 years at $33,594 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Early County has the smallest proportion of social security at 1.0% of the total.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 20.6% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Clay County which depicts a households with retirement income of 27.5% (33.8% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income the second smallest in order of overall family income of all the other counties in the area at $64,167 of the total. Second, it has in the middle range of other counties in the local area when sorted by white family income at $36,598 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Early County indicates it has the hightest cost of 100.3 for the cost of grocery items classification.

Early County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2022, the Covid 19 recession occurred and affects this metric. The monthly unemployment rate shows that from January 2017 to before the COVID-19 Pandemic it went from 6.4% to 4.7% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 26.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.0%. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 14.9%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. The monthly labor force participation depicts that from January 2017 to before the COVID-19 Pandemic it went from 4,651 to 4,452 in November 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.3%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 4,369. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Early County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 4.3% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Early County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Calhoun County which depicts a rate of 5.1% (20.4% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Early County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 51.9% which is in the mid range of other counties in the area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Early County depicts full time employees approximately 4.5 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Early County area. Early County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 25.1% which is the second smallest when sorted by families with a single earner of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Calhoun County which shows a single earners rate of 36.9% (46.9% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Early County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 28.4% which is the third most families with no one working of all other counties in the greater Early County region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Clay County which shows a families with no worker of 48.0% (69.1% larger).

Early County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Early County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Early County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 2,668 which is the second most of all the counties in the metro area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Houston County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 18,584 ( substantially bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Early County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 25.0% which is in the middle range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Calhoun County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 26.1% (only about 4.4% larger).

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Early County has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 50% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Miller County (97%), and #1 Baker County (100%) are larger.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Early County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 60% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Miller County with 69%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 63% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Henry County (67%), and #1 Miller County (69%) are larger. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Early County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 24.0% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Early County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Calhoun County which depicts a households with public assistance of 34.2% (42.6% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Early County depicts it has a Gini Index of 47.2% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region.

Early County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Early County or elsewhere.) Early County has the smallest proportion of people who drove alone at 78% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who carpooled at 15% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Early County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 6% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 7% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 830 am to 9am at 0% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 11% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Early County has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 6% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 10% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Early County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 24 which is the second most average commute time of all the counties in the greater Early County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Early County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 9.1% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Early County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 22% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of 3 vehicles available at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Henry County with 13%. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Early County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 54% which is the second most people who both work and live in the same city of all the counties in the greater Early County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Houston County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 65% (20.9% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Early County is 21.9% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of Georgia, people who both work and live in the same city of 42%, Early County is 26.8% larger.

Early County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Early County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $92,796 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Early County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $58,819 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Early County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Early County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Early County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 40% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses aggregate.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Early County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 36% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Early County indicates it has a Self Employment Income of $21,416 which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Henry County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $49,337 (approximately 2.3 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Early County is approximately half the size. Also, compared to the state of Georgia, average annual self employment income of $40,467, Early County is approximately half the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Early County shows total number of self-employed men approximately 2.9 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.