Obion County Income Charts

This section shows the Obion 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, Obion County depicts it has a median earnings per worker of $33,280 which is the smallest as measured by median earnings per worker of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Hickman County which shows a median earnings of $40,939 (23.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Obion County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Tennessee, median earnings per worker of $41,249, Obion County is about 23.9% 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 $39,866 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Dyer County which shows a median income of $43,762 (9.8% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Obion County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Tennessee, median household income of $50,972, Obion County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Obion County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the percentage of earnings less than $10,000 less than most other counties in the area at 17.5% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 39.1 which is in the middle range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Lake County which depicts an average hours of 41.7 (6.6% 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 $16.37 which is the second 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 Hickman County which shows an average hourly earnings of $20.50 (25.3% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Obion County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, average hourly earnings of $20.29, Obion County is about 23.9% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Obion County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Obion County depicts it has a percentage of people self employed of 11.3% which is at the top of all other counties in the greater region.

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 $29,732 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Lake County with $40,577. Second, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the area as measured by median income-25 to 44 years at $42,672 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $49,671 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Gibson County with $51,333. Also, it has in the mid point range of other counties in the area in terms of median income-65 years and over at $33,305 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Obion County has the largest proportion of self employment income at 9.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of public assistance and ssi 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 households with retirement income of 24.7% which is the second most households with retirement income of all the counties in the greater Obion County region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Hickman County which depicts a households with retirement income of 27.7% (12.0% 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 less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at $51,219 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in order of overall family income of all the other counties in the metro area when ranked by white family income at $53,511 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of black family income at $31,917 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Gibson County ($32,969), and #1 Dyer County ($34,741) are larger. Also, it has in the middle range of other counties in the local area in terms of hispanic family income at $27,000 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Obion County shows it has the hightest cost of 96.7 for the cost of miscellaneous items classification.

Obion 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 Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 10.6% to 4.3% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 59.4%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.3% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 23.3%. 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 depicts that from January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 15,107 to 12,731 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 15.7%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 12,481 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 Obion County shows it has an unemployment rate of 3.5% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Obion County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Dyer County which shows a rate of 4.5% (28.6% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Obion County shows it has a participation rate of 55.4% which is the second most of all the counties in the metropolitan 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). Obion County has the percentage of not in labor force the second smallest when ranked by employed of all the other counties in the local area at 44.6% of the total.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Obion County shows full time employees approximately 4.3 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 Obion County area. Obion County shows it has a families with a single earner of 28.8% which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Hickman County which shows a single earners rate of 33.7% (17.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Obion County shows it has a families with no one working of 23.7% which is in the center range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Hickman County which depicts a families with no worker of 32.0% (35.3% larger).

Obion County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Obion 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. Obion County shows it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,814 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Gibson County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 8,201 (20.4% larger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Obion County depicts it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 22.7% which is the third most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all other counties in the greater Obion County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Fulton County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 29.8% (31.5% larger).



The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Obion County has the largest proportion of black poverty rate at 41% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 33% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Weakley County with 45%. Third, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian poverty rate at 100% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Obion County has the largest proportion of married with children and in poverty at 23% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Obion County has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 18% 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.) Obion County shows it has a households with public assistance of 19.0% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Lake County which indicates a households with public assistance of 39.5% (about twice as large).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Obion County shows it has a the gini index of 46.7% which is less than most other counties in the area.

Obion County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Obion County or elsewhere.) Obion County has the largest proportion of people who take the subway or elevated rail at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 1% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Obion County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 7am to 730am at 14% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 4pm to midnight at 7% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Obion County has the percentage of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes the second smallest as measured by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region at 17% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Obion County depicts it has an average commute time of 22 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Obion County shows average commute time in minutes for men 20.7% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Obion County has the percentage of no vehicle available less than most other counties in the metro area at 3% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Obion County indicates it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 47% which is the third most people who both work and live in the same city of all other counties in the greater Obion County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Dyer County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 66% (39.8% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Obion County is 12.1% larger. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, people who both work and live in the same city of 57%, Obion County is about 21.3% smaller.

Obion 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. Obion County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $86,313 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Obion County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $51,645 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Obion County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Obion 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. Obion County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 57% 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. Obion County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 48% for the self employed in construction group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Obion County depicts it has an average annual self employment income of $43,561 which is at the top of all other counties in the greater Obion County region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Obion County is 15.2% larger. Also, in comparison with the state of Tennessee, average annual self employment income of $37,481, Obion County is 16.2% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Obion County depicts total number of self-employed men approximately 2.3 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.