Kemper County Income Charts

This section shows the Kemper County Mississippi economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Kemper County shows it has a Median earnings of $31,365 which is the smallest when sorted by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Lauderdale County which shows a median earnings of $39,522 (26.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Kemper County is approximately half the size. Also, measured against the state of Mississippi, median earnings per worker of $41,963, Kemper 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 $37,667 which is the second smallest when ranked by median household income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Newton County which depicts a median income of $44,530 (18.2% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Kemper County is approximately half the size. Also, measured against the state of Mississippi, median household income of $49,111, Kemper County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Kemper County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 13.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 43.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 9.3% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 2.6% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.5 which is the third most average hours of all other counties in the greater Kemper County region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Neshoba County which depicts an average hours of 41.7 (only about 5.6% 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 $15.27 which is the smallest in terms of average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Noxubee County which shows an average hourly earnings of $19.79 (29.6% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Kemper County is approximately half the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Mississippi, average hourly earnings of $20.43, Kemper County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Kemper County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Kemper County shows it has a Self Employed of 7.3% which is the third most people self employed of all other counties in the greater Kemper County region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Winston County which shows a percentage self employed of 9.7% (34.1% larger).

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 when ranked by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $39,761 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in terms of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by median income-25 to 44 years at $41,096 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the local area when ranked by median income-45 to 64 years at $29,459 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Kemper County has the smallest proportion of social security at 0.9% 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 21.3% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Sumter County which depicts a households with retirement income of 28.0% (31.5% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has one of the largest proportions of overall family income at $79,375 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Sumter County with $79,583. Second, it has less than most other counties in the metro area as measured by white family income at $34,063 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of black family income at $42,734 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. Kemper County shows it has the hightest cost of 105.9 for the cost of utilities grouping.

Kemper 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 February 2010 to before the Wuhan virus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 15.2% to 7.2% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 52.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.6% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 22.2%. 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 Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 3,847 to 3,454 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 10.2%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 3,346 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 3.1%.

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 Kemper County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 6.3% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Kemper County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Kemper County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 52.2% which is in the middle range of other counties in the area.

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). Kemper County has the largest proportion of employed at 6.3% 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. Kemper County shows full time employees considerably 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 Kemper County area. Kemper County indicates it has a Single Earner Families of 19.3% which is the smallest as measured by families with a single earner of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Sumter County which shows a single earners rate of 45.2% (approximately 2.3 times bigger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Kemper County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 29.3% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Kemper County region.

Kemper County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Kemper 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. Kemper County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 2,109 which is the smallest in terms of total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Lauderdale County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 16,738 ( substantially bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Kemper County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 25.3% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Sumter County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 31.6% (24.8% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Kemper County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 24% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 5% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Kemper County has the largest proportion of black poverty rate at 44% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Kemper County has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 79% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 46% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Lauderdale County (52%), and #1 Sumter County (55%) are larger.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Kemper County has one of the largest proportions of highschool graduate and in poverty at 23% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Sumter County with 24%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 1% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Kemper County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 11.9% 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.) Kemper County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 23.3% which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Noxubee County which depicts a households with public assistance of 28.4% (22.0% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Kemper County shows it has a Gini Index of 49.1% which is the third most the gini index of all other counties in the greater Kemper County region.

Kemper 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 Kemper 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.) Kemper County has the smallest proportion of people who take public transportation 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 Kemper County or elsewhere.) Kemper County has the smallest proportion of people who carpooled at 8% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who walked at 1% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Kemper County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 1% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 1% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Kemper County has the smallest proportion of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 8% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the surrounding region in order of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 10% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 15 to 19 minutes at 4% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 17% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Kemper County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 34 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Kemper County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Kemper County shows average commute time in minutes for men 32.3% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Kemper County has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 12% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 17% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 50% 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.) Kemper County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 35% which is the second smallest in terms of people who both work and live in the same city of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Lauderdale County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 67% (about twice as large). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Kemper County is about 24.3% smaller. Also, in contrast to the state of Mississippi, people who both work and live in the same city of 42%, Kemper County is about 18.7% smaller.

Kemper 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. Kemper County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $90,699 for the earnings-sales and office occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Kemper County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $43,250 for the earnings-education, legal, community service, arts, media occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Kemper County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Kemper County Self Employment Charts

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Kemper County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $27,754 which is the third most average annual self employment income of all other counties in the greater Kemper County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Newton County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $41,213 (48.5% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Kemper County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Mississippi, average annual self employment income of $34,721, Kemper County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Kemper County shows total number of self-employed men approximately a third the size as the total number of self-employed women.