Muhlenberg County Income Charts

This section shows the Muhlenberg County Kentucky economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Median earnings of $37,972 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is McLean County which depicts a median earnings of $49,093 (29.3% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Muhlenberg County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Kentucky, median earnings per worker of $43,234, Muhlenberg County is about 13.9% 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 $43,590 which is the second smallest in terms of median household income of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is McLean County which depicts a median income of $51,861 (19.0% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Muhlenberg County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Kentucky, median household income of $50,589, Muhlenberg County is about 16.1% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Muhlenberg County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 10.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 9.4% 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 38.7 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Todd County which depicts an average hours of 41.0 (only about 5.9% 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 $18.87 which is in the middle range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is McLean County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $23.37 (23.8% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Muhlenberg County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Kentucky, average hourly earnings of $21.32, Muhlenberg County is about 13.0% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Muhlenberg County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Self Employed of 7.4% which is the smallest when ranked by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Todd County which shows a percentage self employed of 12.9% (75.0% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region at $53,661 of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $44,921 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the metro area when ranked by median income-45 to 64 years at $34,759 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Muhlenberg County has the largest proportion of investment and retirement income at 14.3% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of social security at 1.6% 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 27.8% which is more than all other counties in the greater Muhlenberg County 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 less than most other counties in the metro area at $57,156 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $43,085 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Logan County with $45,417.

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

Muhlenberg 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-19 Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 12.2% to 7.2% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 41.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 9.4% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 30.6%. 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 depicts that from February 2010 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 13,040 to 10,491 in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 19.5%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 9,678 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 7.7%.

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 Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 3.3% which is in the middle range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Ohio County which depicts a rate of 4.5% (37.0% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Muhlenberg County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 50.1% which is the smallest when ranked by participation rate of all the other counties in the surrounding region.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Muhlenberg County has the largest proportion of unemployed at 49.9% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Muhlenberg County depicts full time employees approximately 3.5 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 Muhlenberg County area. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 35.1% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Muhlenberg County region. The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Muhlenberg County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 24.9% which is the third most families with no one working of all other counties in the greater Muhlenberg County region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Ohio County which depicts a families with no worker of 25.1% ( about the same size).

Muhlenberg County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Muhlenberg 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. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 4,587 which is the second most total people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Muhlenberg County region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Hopkins County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 8,534 (about twice as large).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 15.2% which is the smallest in terms of percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Hopkins County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 19.4% (27.6% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Muhlenberg County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 5% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 25% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 16% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Muhlenberg County has the percentage of white poverty rate less than most other counties in the local area at 20% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 28% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Ohio County (45%), and #1 Logan County (46%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of asian poverty rate at 50% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 5% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Muhlenberg County has the smallest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 33% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 46% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 12% of the total. 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.) Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 14.8% which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Todd County which depicts a households with public assistance of 20.3% (36.7% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Gini Index of 43.8% which is the second smallest as measured by the gini index of all the other counties in the area.

Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg 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.) Muhlenberg County has the smallest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 1% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Muhlenberg County or elsewhere.) Muhlenberg County has the smallest proportion of people who walked at 1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 1% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Muhlenberg County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 12% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Muhlenberg County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hopkins County with 17%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 15% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Logan County (16%), and #1 Hopkins County (20%) are larger. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 4% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 9% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 24 which is less than most other counties in the local area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Muhlenberg County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 68.5% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Muhlenberg County has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 28% 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.) Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 29% which is less than most 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 Hopkins County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 49% (69.3% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Muhlenberg County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Kentucky, people who both work and live in the same city of 52%, Muhlenberg County is approximately half the size.

Muhlenberg 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. Muhlenberg County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $58,000 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations group. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Muhlenberg County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $47,583 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Muhlenberg County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Muhlenberg 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. Muhlenberg County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 33% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts 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. Muhlenberg County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 19% for the self employed in transportation, warehousing, and utilities aggregate.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Muhlenberg County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $30,455 which is in the middle range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Ohio County which shows an average annual self employment income of $52,762 (73.2% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Muhlenberg County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Kentucky, average annual self employment income of $32,419, Muhlenberg County is about 6.4% smaller.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Muhlenberg County shows total number of self-employed men 14.7% larger as the total number of self-employed women.