Jay County Income Charts

This section shows the Jay County Indiana economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Jay County depicts it has a Median earnings of $40,949 which is the smallest when ranked by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Mercer County which depicts a median earnings of $49,392 (20.6% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Indiana, median earnings per worker of $48,985, Jay County is about 19.6% smaller.

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 $48,904 which is the second smallest as measured by median household income of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Mercer County which shows a median income of $68,692 (40.5% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Indiana, median household income of $61,944, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Jay County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 4.4% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 43.0% 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 40.6 which is more than all other counties in the greater Jay County region. 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 $19.40 which is the smallest when ranked by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Mercer County which shows an average hourly earnings of $24.29 (25.2% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Indiana, average hourly earnings of $24.28, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Jay County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Jay County shows it has a Self Employed of 12.8% which is the second most people self employed of all the counties in the greater Jay County region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Adams County which depicts a percentage self employed of 13.5% (only about 5.2% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years less than most other counties in the local area at $59,066 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area in terms of median income-25 to 44 years at $61,073 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $37,324 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Jay County has the largest proportion of income from wages at 12.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of self employment income at 10.6% 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 23.7% which is the smallest as measured by households with retirement income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Blackford County which indicates a households with retirement income of 27.6% (16.4% 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 as measured by overall family income of all the other counties in the greater region at $64,489 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian family income at $49,479 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Delaware County with $81,310.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jay County depicts it has the hightest cost of 98.5 for the cost of utilities aggregate.

Jay 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 depicts that from February 2017 to before the COVID-19 Pandemic it went from 4.3% to 2.8% in December 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 34.9%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 2.8%. This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of very little. 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 Coronavirus Pandemic it went from 9,759 to 9,375 in November 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 3.9%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 9,375. This represents an increase 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 Jay County indicates it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.6% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Jay County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Delaware County which shows a rate of 3.7% (44.4% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Jay County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 61.8% which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Jay County depicts full time employees approximately 4.1 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 Jay County area. Jay County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 25.6% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Adams County which depicts a single earners rate of 31.7% (23.9% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Jay County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 19.3% which is the third most of all other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Blackford County which depicts a families with no worker of 26.9% (39.3% larger).

Jay County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Jay 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. Jay County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 2,987 which is the third most total people earning less than the poverty level of all other counties in the greater Jay County region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Delaware County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 21,632 ( markedly bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Jay County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 14.7% which is in the mid 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 Delaware County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 20.6% (39.5% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Jay County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by person in poverty under 12 years of all the other counties in the surrounding region in terms of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 18% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Jay County has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 51% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Blackford County (63%), and #1 Adams County (79%) are larger. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metro area in terms of american indian poverty rate at 3% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 46% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Jay County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 40% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Blackford County with 43%. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 62% 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.) Jay County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 8.3% which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Blackford County which depicts a households with public assistance of 14.9% (78.9% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Jay County depicts it has a Gini Index of 42.4% which is the third most the gini index of all other counties in the greater Jay County region.

Jay County Work Commute Charts

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Jay County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 13% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Jay County indicates it has a Avg Commute Time of 21 which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Jay County shows average commute time in minutes for men 58.0% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Jay County has one of the largest proportions of no vehicle available at 16% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Blackford County (17%), and #1 Delaware County (20%) are larger. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by no vehicle available of all the other counties in the local area in order of 1 vehicle available at 36% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Jay County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 39% which is in the middle range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Delaware County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 58% (49.9% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Jay County is about 13.1% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of Indiana, people who both work and live in the same city of 49%, Jay County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Jay 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. Jay County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $152,986 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Jay County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $59,643 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations category. The table in Figure 48, shows Jay County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Jay 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. Jay County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 71% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses classification.

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. Jay County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 22% for the self employed in construction group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Jay County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $65,965 which is more than all other counties in the greater Jay County region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Jay County is 56.5% larger. Also, measured against the state of Indiana, average annual self employment income of $35,233, Jay County is about twice as large.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Jay County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 2.3 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.