Carter County Income Charts

This section shows the Carter County Tennessee economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2019 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Carter County depicts it has a median earnings per worker of $33,005 which is the second smallest as measured by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Washington County which shows a median earnings of $40,915 (24.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Carter County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of Tennessee, median earnings per worker of $41,249, Carter County is about 25.0% 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 $36,589 which is the second smallest in terms of median household income of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Washington County which shows a median income of $46,752 (27.8% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Carter County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Tennessee, median household income of $50,972, Carter County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.7 which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Unicoi County which depicts an average hours of 39.6 ( only slightly larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has an average hourly earnings of $16.40 which is the smallest when sorted by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Washington County which shows an average hourly earnings of $21.04 (28.3% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Carter County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Tennessee, average hourly earnings of $20.29, Carter County is about 23.7% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Carter County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Carter County depicts it has a percentage of people self employed of 9.3% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Avery County which shows a percentage self employed of 11.2% (20.6% 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 $27,037 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Mitchell County with $31,500. Second, it has the smallest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $38,757 of the total. Third, it has the second smallest in order of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area in terms of median income-45 to 64 years at $40,650 of the total. Also, it has less than most other counties in the greater region when sorted by median income-65 years and over at $29,934 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 households with retirement income of 20.0% which is the second smallest as measured by households with retirement income of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Sullivan County which depicts a households with retirement income of 22.7% (13.5% larger).

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 the second smallest when sorted by overall family income of all the other counties in the greater region at $47,155 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by overall family income of all the other counties in the greater region when ranked by white family income at $47,386 of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of black family income at $50,063 of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hispanic family income at $36,875 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Mitchell County with $37,679.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Carter County depicts it has the hightest cost of 92.6 for the cost of miscellaneous items category.

Carter 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 January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 12.6% to 3.7% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 70.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.3% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 43.2%. 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 January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 26,135 to 24,489 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 6.3%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 23,492 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.1%.

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 Carter County depicts it has an unemployment rate of 2.8% which is in the center range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Unicoi County which depicts a rate of 4.8% (69.9% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Carter County depicts it has a participation rate of 51.7% 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. Carter County shows full time employees approximately 3.4 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 Carter County area. Carter County depicts it has a families with a single earner of 29.6% which is the third most families with a single earner of all other counties in the greater Carter County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Unicoi County which shows a single earners rate of 33.7% (13.9% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Carter County shows it has a families with no one working of 26.0% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Johnson County which shows a families with no worker of 32.9% (26.6% larger).

Carter County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Carter 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. Carter County shows it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 12,841 which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Sullivan County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 25,670 (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. Carter County shows it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 23.5% which is the most of all counties in the metro area.



The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Carter County has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 23% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Johnson County with 23%. Second, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 51% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of asian poverty rate at 4% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Carter County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 25% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Johnson County with 30%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 50% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Sullivan County (51%), and #1 Johnson County (61%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 65% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, 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 male with children and in poverty at 17% of the total.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Carter County has the largest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 23% 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. Carter County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and not in labor force at 21.0% 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.) Carter County depicts it has a households with public assistance of 19.0% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Carter County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Johnson County which depicts a households with public assistance of 21.8% (14.9% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Carter County depicts it has a the gini index of 47.0% which is less than most other counties in the area.

Carter County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Carter County or elsewhere.) Carter County has the largest proportion of people who drove alone at 86% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Carter County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 5% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Mitchell County with 6%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 9% 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. Carter County has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 11% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 11% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time of 90 or more minutesutes at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Carter County depicts it has an average commute time of 24 which is the third most average commute time of all other counties in the greater Carter County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Carter County shows average commute time in minutes for men 29.3% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Carter County depicts it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 32% 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 Washington County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 59% (about twice as large). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Carter County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Tennessee, people who both work and live in the same city of 57%, Carter County is approximately half the size.

Carter 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. Carter County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $59,766 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Carter County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $46,480 for the management, business, and financial occupations classification. The table in Figure 48, shows Carter County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Carter 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. Carter County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 39% for the self employed in sales and office related businesses grouping.

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. Carter County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 26% for the self employed in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Carter County shows it has an average annual self employment income of $30,860 which is the third most average annual self employment income of all other counties in the greater Carter County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Washington County which shows an average annual self employment income of $33,556 (8.7% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Carter County is about 22.5% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Tennessee, average annual self employment income of $37,481, Carter County is about 21.5% smaller.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Carter County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 2.2 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.