Brown County Income Charts

This section shows the Brown County South Dakota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Brown County indicates it has a Median earnings of $47,579 which is the third most median earnings of all other counties in the greater Brown County region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is McPherson County which depicts a median earnings of $49,808 (only about 4.7% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Brown County is about 12.0% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of South Dakota, median earnings per worker of $46,456, Brown County is only slightly larger.

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 $63,805 which is the third most median income of all other counties in the greater Brown County region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Edmunds County which depicts a median income of $69,732 (9.3% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Brown County is about 8.2% smaller. Also, measured against the state of South Dakota, median household income of $63,920, Brown County is about the same size.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.4 which is the smallest as measured by average hours of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Spink County which shows an average hours of 43.7 (10.9% 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 $23.22 which is the second most average hourly earnings of all the counties in the greater Brown County region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is McPherson County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $23.31 ( about the same size). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Brown County is about 13.7% smaller. Also, measured against the state of South Dakota, average hourly earnings of $22.56, Brown County is only about 2.9% larger.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Brown County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Brown County shows it has a Self Employed of 15.3% which is the smallest as measured by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is McPherson County which shows a percentage self employed of 27.6% (about twice as large).

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 metropolitan area at $74,255 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $76,055 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Dickey County ($79,688), and #1 Marshall County ($84,667) are larger. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $50,347 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Edmunds County ($51,250), and #1 Spink County ($52,692) are larger.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Brown County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 6.6% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 6.7% 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 19.5% which is the third most of all other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Day County which shows a households with retirement income of 28.3% (45.2% 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 $89,803 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Marshall County with $96,635. Second, it has the largest proportion of american indian family income at $65,742 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. Brown County shows it has the hightest cost of 105.9 for the cost of grocery items category.

Brown 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 4.4% to 2.7% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 38.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 2.6% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 3.7%. 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 Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 20,663 to 20,314 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 20,094 This represents a decrease 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 Brown County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.1% which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater Brown County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Brown County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 71.0% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Brown County 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). Brown County has the largest proportion of employed at 2.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of unemployed at 29.0% of the total.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Brown County depicts full time employees approximately 3.8 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 Brown County area. Brown County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 20.3% which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Spink County which depicts a single earners rate of 23.9% (17.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Brown County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 12.1% which is the second smallest when sorted by families with no one working of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is McPherson County which depicts a families with no worker of 29.0% (approximately 2.4 times bigger).

Brown County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Brown 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. Brown County indicates it has a Total In Poverty of 3,877 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Brown County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Brown County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 10.4% which is the third most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all other counties in the greater Brown County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Day County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 15.2% (46.9% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Brown County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 7% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 12% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Brown County has the percentage of white poverty rate in the mid range of other counties in the metro area at 6% of the total. Second, it has in the center range of other counties in the metro area as measured by black poverty rate at 34% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of asian poverty rate at 100% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 45% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Day County with 47%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Brown County has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 52% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 55% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Day County with 56%. Third, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 47% 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.) Brown County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 7.1% which is in the intermediate range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Day County which shows a households with public assistance of 8.5% (19.1% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Brown County depicts it has a Gini Index of 44.6% which is less than most other counties in the local area.

Brown 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 Brown 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.) Brown County has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 6% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Brown County or elsewhere.) Brown County has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 6% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Brown County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 8% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 10% 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. Brown County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 27% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Day County with 27%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 30% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 17% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 4% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 0% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 1% of the total. Next it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 40 to 44 minutes at 2% of the total. Additionally, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 1% of the total. And then, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 1% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Brown County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 13 which is the smallest in terms of average commute time of all the other counties in the area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Brown County shows average commute time in minutes for men 8.5% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Brown County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 41% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of 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.) Brown County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 79% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Brown County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Brown County is 79.9% larger. Also, compared to the state of South Dakota, people who both work and live in the same city of 68%, Brown County is 16.6% larger.

Brown 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. Brown County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $91,477 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Brown County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $54,609 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Brown County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Brown 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. Brown County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 43% 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. Brown County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 20% for the self employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Brown County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $36,003 which is the second smallest in terms of average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is McPherson County which shows an average annual self employment income of $105,502 (approximately 2.9 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Brown County is about 17.0% smaller. Also, compared with the state of South Dakota, average annual self employment income of $40,950, Brown County is about 13.7% smaller.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Brown County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.