Hardin County Income Charts

This section shows the Hardin County Illinois economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Hardin County depicts it has a Median earnings of $44,392 which is the third most median earnings of all other counties in the greater Hardin County region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Gallatin County which shows a median earnings of $45,560 (only about 2.6% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Hardin County is about 20.0% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Illinois, median earnings per worker of $56,393, Hardin 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 $51,738 which is the second most median income of all the counties in the greater Hardin County region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Gallatin County which shows a median income of $52,597 ( only slightly larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of Illinois, median household income of $72,563, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.1 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Crittenden County which depicts an average hours of 40.9 (only about 4.6% 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 $21.83 which is the third most average hourly earnings of all other counties in the greater Hardin County region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Saline County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $22.60 (only about 3.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Hardin County is about 20.9% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Illinois, average hourly earnings of $28.10, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Hardin County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Hardin County shows it has a Self Employed of 6.3% which is the smallest when ranked by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Gallatin County which depicts a percentage self employed of 11.9% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, it has the largest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $78,295 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $42,250 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $49,728 of the total and is ranked #1.

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 36.4% which is the highest of all counties in the greater region.

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 terms of overall family income of all the other counties in the metropolitan area at $62,375 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. Hardin County depicts it has the hightest cost of 96.5 for the cost of utilities classification.

Hardin County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, 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 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 12.5% to 5.9% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 52.8%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 6.5% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 10.2%. 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. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 1,779 to 1,223 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 31.3%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 1,343 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 9.8%.

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 Hardin County shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.5% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Gallatin County which indicates a rate of 4.4% (76.2% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Hardin County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 41.4% which is the second smallest in order of participation rate of all the other counties in the greater region.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Hardin County depicts full time employees approximately 3.6 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 Hardin County area. Hardin County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 23.9% which is the smallest as measured 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 Pope County which depicts a single earners rate of 40.1% (67.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Hardin County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 41.4% which is the highest of all counties in the greater region.

Hardin County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Hardin 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. Hardin County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 451 which is the smallest in terms of total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Saline County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 3,967 ( considerably bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Hardin County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 12.4% which is the smallest as measured by percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Pope County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 21.5% (72.5% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Hardin County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 14% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 27% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Hardin County has the smallest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 26% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in terms of married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the greater region when ranked by unmarried with children and in poverty at 40% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 15% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Gallatin County (18%), and #1 Union County (19%) are larger. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Hardin County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 39.9% of the total and is ranked #1. 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.) Hardin County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 17.4% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Hardin County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Saline County which shows a households with public assistance of 25.2% (45.0% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Hardin County depicts it has a Gini Index of 48.1% which is the third most the gini index of all other counties in the greater Hardin County region.

Hardin County Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Hardin County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Hardin County has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Hardin County or elsewhere.) Hardin County has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 4% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Hardin County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 9% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Union County (10%), and #1 Livingston County (12%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 0% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Hardin County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Union County with 15%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 3% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 6% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 40 to 44 minutes at 5% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 5% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Hardin County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 29 which is the second most average commute time of all the counties in the greater Hardin County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Hardin County shows average commute time in minutes for men 76.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Hardin County has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 10% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 40% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 0% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Hardin County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 27% which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Saline County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 45% (66.8% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Illinois, people who both work and live in the same city of 41%, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Hardin 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. Hardin County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $88,750 for the management, business, and financial occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Hardin County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $61,157 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Hardin County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Hardin 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. Hardin County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 35% for the self employed in service businesses group.

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. Hardin County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 54% for the self employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Hardin County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $33,368 which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Saline County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $51,474 (54.3% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Hardin County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Illinois, average annual self employment income of $41,211, Hardin County is about 23.5% smaller.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Hardin County indicates total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.