Athens County Income Charts

This section shows the Athens County Ohio economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2021 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Athens County depicts it has a Median earnings of $40,600 which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Meigs County which shows a median earnings of $42,810 (only about 5.4% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $50,459, Athens County is about 24.3% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Ohio, median earnings per worker of $48,501, Athens County is about 19.5% 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 $42,414 which is the smallest as measured 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 Hocking County which shows a median income of $54,774 (29.1% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $64,994, Athens County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Ohio, median household income of $58,116, Athens County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Athens County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 24.2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 12.5% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 4.4% 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 32.8 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Perry County which depicts an average hours of 39.4 (20.1% 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 $23.80 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Athens County region. Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $25.01, Athens County is only about 5.1% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Ohio, average hourly earnings of $24.29, Athens County is about the same size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Athens County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Athens County depicts it has a Self Employed of 9.5% which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Meigs County which shows a percentage self employed of 10.0% (only about 5.5% 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 area at $54,670 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 area in terms of median income-25 to 44 years at $45,427 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $46,545 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Athens County has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 7.9% 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 22.9% which is the smallest in terms of households with retirement income of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Vinton County which depicts a households with retirement income of 30.5% (33.2% 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 $66,917 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hocking County with $67,043. Second, it has the largest proportion of white family income at $92,500 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of american indian family income at $49,063 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. Athens County shows it has the hightest cost of 107.7 for the cost of healthcare category.

Athens 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 disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 11.0% to 6.7% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 39.1%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.8% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 43.3%. 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 Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 28,954 to 29,825 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 3.0%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 26,784 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 10.2%.

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 Athens County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 3.1% which is in the mid range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Meigs County which depicts a rate of 4.2% (35.3% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Athens County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 53.4% which is less than most other counties in the local area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Athens County depicts full time employees 31.5% larger 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 Athens County area. Athens County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 29.4% which is the second most families with a single earner of all the counties in the greater Athens County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Meigs County which shows a single earners rate of 34.1% (16.3% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Athens County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 23.0% which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Morgan County which depicts a families with no worker of 26.9% (16.7% larger).

Athens County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Athens 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. Athens County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 15,743 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Athens County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Athens County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 27.9% which is more than all other counties in the surrounding region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Athens County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 4% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 57% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 13% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 5% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Athens County has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 31% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Wood County (55%), and #1 Vinton County (100%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 65% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Perry County (79%), and #1 Meigs County (100%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 39% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of asian poverty rate at 58% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Wood County with 100%. In addition, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 39% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Morgan County with 48%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Athens County has the percentage of married with children and in poverty the second smallest as measured by married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the local area at 38% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in order of married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the greater region when sorted by unmarried with children and in poverty at 42% of the total.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Athens County has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 21% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 10% 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. Athens County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 32.2% 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.) Athens County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 17.8% which is the second smallest in terms of households with public assistance of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Meigs County which depicts a households with public assistance of 24.4% (37.1% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Athens County depicts it has a Gini Index of 48.4% which is the most of all counties in the greater Athens County region.

Athens 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 Athens 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.) Athens 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 15% 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 Athens County or elsewhere.) Athens County has the smallest proportion of people who drove alone at 71% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who carpooled at 7% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who take the ferry at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who bike at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who walked at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the smallest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 0% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Athens 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 5am to 530am at 3% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 6% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 8% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 830 am to 9am at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. And then, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon 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. Athens County has the largest proportion of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 19% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Wood County with 22%. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 1% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 2% of the total. Furthermore, it has the second smallest in terms of people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region when sorted by people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 4% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Athens County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 21 which is the second smallest in order of average commute time of all the other counties in the metro area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Athens County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 24.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Athens County has one of the largest proportions of no vehicle available at 18% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Morgan County (19%), and #1 Wood County (20%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of 1 vehicle available at 38% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Hocking County (39%), and #1 Wood County (44%) are larger. Third, it has the second smallest when sorted by no vehicle available of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by 3 vehicles available at 11% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 5% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Athens County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 61% which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater Athens County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 43%, Athens County is 42.5% larger. Also, compared to the state of Ohio, people who both work and live in the same city of 35%, Athens County is 73.0% larger.

Athens 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. Athens County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $70,291 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Athens County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $72,639 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Athens County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Athens 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. Athens County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 55% 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. Athens County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 22% for the self employed in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Athens County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $19,751 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Wood County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $34,485 (74.6% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $40,101, Athens County is approximately half the size. Also, versus the state of Ohio, average annual self employment income of $33,656, Athens County is approximately half the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Athens County depicts total number of self-employed men 37.5% larger as the total number of self-employed women.