Rowan County Income Charts

This section shows the Rowan County Kentucky economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2021 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Rowan County depicts it has a Median earnings of $40,068 which is the largest of all counties in the metropolitan area. Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $50,459, Rowan County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Kentucky, median earnings per worker of $44,129, Rowan County is about 10.1% 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 $42,754 which is the third most of all other counties in the area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Menifee County which shows a median income of $46,746 (9.3% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $64,994, Rowan County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Kentucky, median household income of $52,238, Rowan County is about 22.2% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Rowan County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has one of the largest proportions of earnings less than $10,000 at 10.5% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Carter County with 11.4%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 27.1% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 3.3% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 5.0% 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 35.5 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Fleming County which depicts an average hours of 40.1 (13.0% 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 $21.71 which is the highest of all counties in the local area. Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $25.01, Rowan County is about 15.2% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Kentucky, average hourly earnings of $21.76, Rowan County is about the same size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Rowan County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Rowan County shows it has a Self Employed of 9.2% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Bath County which shows a percentage self employed of 13.9% (51.5% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-under 25 years at $52,204 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Fleming County ($53,193), and #1 Elliott County ($65,313) are larger. Second, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the area when sorted by median income-25 to 44 years at $46,554 of the total. Third, it has the second smallest as measured by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area when sorted by median income-45 to 64 years at $25,103 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Rowan County has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 9.7% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of social security at 1.7% 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 20.4% which is the smallest when sorted 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 Carter County which depicts a households with retirement income of 28.1% (38.0% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has the largest proportion of overall family income at $63,434 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rowan County depicts it has the hightest cost of 97.6 for the cost of transportation classification.

Rowan 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 depicts that from January 2010 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 11.5% to 6.4% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 44.3%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.6% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 28.1%. 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 January 2010 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 10,703 to 10,449 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 2.4%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 9,973 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.6%.

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 Rowan County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.1% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Rowan County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Fleming County which shows a rate of 4.6% (about twice as large). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Rowan County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 54.3% which is the second most participation rates of all the counties in the greater Rowan County region.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Rowan County depicts full time employees about twice as large 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 Rowan County area. Rowan County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 27.5% which is the second smallest as measured by families with a single earner of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Menifee County which shows a single earners rate of 34.4% (25.1% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Rowan County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 21.1% which is the second smallest as measured by families with no one working of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Elliott County which depicts a families with no worker of 43.6% (about twice as large).

Rowan County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Rowan 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. Rowan County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 5,850 which is the second most total people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Rowan County region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Carter County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,517 (11.4% larger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Rowan County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 27.1% which is the second most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Rowan County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Elliott County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 27.9% (only about 2.8% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Rowan 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 34% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 14% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Rowan County has the percentage of white poverty rate less than most other counties in the surrounding region at 8% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 35% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Fleming County with 83%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Rowan County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 75% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Elliott County with 76%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 83% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Elliott County with 88%.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Rowan County has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Rowan County has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 0.9% 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.) Rowan County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 22.8% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Rowan County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Morgan County which shows a households with public assistance of 23.5% (only about 3.2% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Rowan County depicts it has a Gini Index of 51.3% which is the second most the gini index of all the counties in the greater Rowan County region.

Rowan 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 Rowan 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.) Rowan County has the largest proportion of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 5% 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 Rowan County or elsewhere.) Rowan County has the smallest proportion of people who drove alone at 76% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who bike at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who walked at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Rowan County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 5% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 12% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 12% 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. Rowan County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 17% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Elliott County with 18%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 23% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 6% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 1% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 40 to 44 minutes at 3% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 5% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Rowan County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 23 which is the smallest when sorted by average commute time of all the other counties in the local area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Rowan County shows average commute time in minutes for men 20.8% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Rowan County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by no vehicle available of all the other counties in the surrounding region as measured by 4 vehicles available at 4% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Rowan County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 70% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Rowan County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 43%, Rowan County is 64.2% larger. Also, compared to the state of Kentucky, people who both work and live in the same city of 45%, Rowan County is 55.7% larger.

Rowan 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. Rowan County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $157,850 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations category. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Rowan County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $54,824 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Rowan County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Rowan 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. Rowan County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 71% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses category.

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. Rowan County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 36% for the self employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Rowan County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $63,891 which is the largest of all counties in the metropolitan area. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $40,101, Rowan County is 59.3% larger. Also, compared to the state of Kentucky, average annual self employment income of $33,049, Rowan 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.) Rowan County shows total number of self-employed men 29.2% larger as the total number of self-employed women.