Rhea County Income Charts

This section shows the Rhea 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, Rhea County depicts it has a median earnings per worker of $36,915 which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Roane County which shows a median earnings of $41,452 (12.3% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of Tennessee, median earnings per worker of $41,249, Rhea County is about 11.7% 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 $39,451 which is the second smallest when ranked by median household income of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Roane County which depicts a median income of $50,003 (26.7% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Tennessee, median household income of $50,972, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Rhea County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has one of the largest proportions of earnings less than $10,000 at 21.6% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Meigs County (21.8%), and #1 McMinn County (22.8%) are larger.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.0 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Meigs County which shows an average hours of 40.1 (only about 5.5% 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 $18.68 which is in the intermediate range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Roane County which shows an average hourly earnings of $20.71 (10.8% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Tennessee, average hourly earnings of $20.29, Rhea County is about 8.6% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Rhea County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Rhea County shows it has a percentage of people self employed of 8.7% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Bledsoe County which depicts a percentage self employed of 13.6% (56.4% 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 in terms of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the metro area at $12,930 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the area when sorted by median income-25 to 44 years at $44,975 of the total. Third, 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 as measured by median income-45 to 64 years at $44,979 of the total. Also, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by median income-65 years and over at $33,447 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Rhea County has the largest proportion of income from wages at 66.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of public assistance and ssi at 2.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

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 22.6% which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Cumberland County which depicts a households with retirement income of 29.5% (30.7% 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 in terms of overall family income of all the other counties in the local area at $50,509 of the total. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by overall family income of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by white family income at $51,505 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of black family income at $33,542 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Roane County with $51,375. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hispanic family income at $30,179 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Roane County with $78,464.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rhea County depicts it has the hightest cost of 103.4 for the cost of utilities classification.

Rhea 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 14.7% to 5.1% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 65.3%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 6.5% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 27.5%. 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-19 virus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 13,474 to 13,739 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 13,235 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 3.7%.

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 Rhea County depicts it has an unemployment rate of 4.3% which is in the center range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Van Buren County which shows a rate of 6.1% (42.2% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Rhea County shows it has a participation rate of 55.4% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Rhea 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). Rhea County has the largest proportion of employed at 51.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of not in labor force at 44.6% of the total.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Rhea County depicts 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 Rhea County area. Rhea County shows it has a families with a single earner of 28.9% 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 Bledsoe County which shows a single earners rate of 34.0% (17.7% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Rhea County depicts it has a families with no one working of 23.6% which is the second smallest in terms of families with no one working of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Cumberland County which depicts a families with no worker of 38.8% (64.3% larger).

Rhea County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Rhea 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. Rhea County shows it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,901 which is in the center range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is McMinn County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 10,077 (46.0% larger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Rhea County indicates it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 21.9% which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater Rhea County region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Rhea County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 25% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 10% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Rhea County has the largest proportion of white poverty rate at 21% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 41% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Cumberland County with 50%. Third, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 75% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of hispanicp poverty rate at 41% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Rhea County has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 52% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 McMinn County (52%), and #1 Meigs County (70%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 59% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 McMinn County (60%), and #1 Meigs County (77%) are larger. 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.) Rhea County depicts it has a households with public assistance of 19.4% which is the third most households with public assistance of all other counties in the greater Rhea County region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Bledsoe County which shows a households with public assistance of 27.2% (39.8% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Rhea County shows it has a the gini index of 46.9% which is in the mid range of other counties in the area.

Rhea County Work Commute Charts

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Rhea County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 7am to 730am at 11% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm 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. Rhea County has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 5% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 7% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 40 to 44 minutes at 2% of the total. Furthermore, it has the second smallest in order of people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region in terms of people with commute time of 90 or more minutesutes at 1% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Rhea County depicts it has an average commute time of 23 which is the second 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. Rhea County shows average commute time in minutes for men 42.3% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Rhea County has one of the largest proportions of no vehicle available at 4% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Van Buren County with 4%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 7% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of 5 or more vehicles available at 9% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Van Buren County with 9%. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Rhea County shows it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 51% which is the third most people who both work and live in the same city of all other counties in the greater Rhea County region. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Bledsoe County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 59% (17.0% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Rhea County is 20.9% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of Tennessee, people who both work and live in the same city of 57%, Rhea County is about 12.5% smaller.

Rhea 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. Rhea County indicates it has the hightest median earnings of $62,222 for the management, business, and financial occupations group. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Rhea County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $50,848 for the earnings-protective service occupations group. The table in Figure 48, shows Rhea County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Rhea 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. Rhea County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 29% for the self employed in sales and office related businesses aggregate.

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. Rhea County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 31% for the self employed in construction category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Rhea County depicts it has an average annual self employment income of $27,497 which is in the center range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Roane County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $37,265 (35.5% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of Tennessee, average annual self employment income of $37,481, Rhea 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.) Rhea County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.