Rhea County Income Charts

This section shows the Rhea County Tennessee economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Rhea County depicts it has a Median earnings of $38,007 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Roane County which shows a median earnings of $45,024 (18.5% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Tennessee, median earnings per worker of $42,449, 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 $42,206 which is the smallest in order of median household income of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Roane County which shows a median income of $53,367 (26.4% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of Tennessee, median household income of $53,320, 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 10.2% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Van Buren County with 13.2%.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 38.1 which is the smallest in order of average hours of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Bledsoe County which indicates an average hours of 39.9 (only about 4.7% 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 $19.18 which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Roane County which shows an average hourly earnings of $22.43 (16.9% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Rhea County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Tennessee, average hourly earnings of $20.82, 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 Self Employed of 9.5% which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Van Buren County which shows a percentage self employed of 14.8% (55.2% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years less than most other counties in the greater region at $50,138 of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the greater region in order of median income-25 to 44 years at $47,061 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by median income-45 to 64 years at $36,469 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 25.3% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Cumberland County which depicts a households with retirement income of 33.3% (31.6% 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 $58,418 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Roane County with $69,804. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $32,386 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Roane County with $72,768. Third, it has in the middle range of other counties in the greater region as measured by hawaiian family income at $31,522 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. 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 indicates that from February 2010 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 13.6% to 5.7% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 58.1%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.1% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 10.5%. 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 February 2010 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 13,610 to 13,767 in February 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 13,089 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.9%.

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 a Unemployment Rate of 4.7% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Rhea County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Bledsoe County which depicts a rate of 4.9% (only about 4.4% 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 Labor Force Participation of 55.2% 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 smallest proportion of unemployed at 44.8% 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 Single Earner Families of 28.8% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is McMinn County which depicts a single earners rate of 31.5% (9.5% 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 25.0% which is the second smallest when ranked by families with no one working of all the other counties in the metro 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 39.6% (58.3% 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 depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 6,122 which is in the middle range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is McMinn County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 9,937 (62.3% 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 shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 19.3% which is the second most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Rhea County region. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Bledsoe County which indicates a percent of people in poverty of 23.2% (20.4% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Rhea County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 22% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 11% 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 38% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of black poverty rate at 77% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 36% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Bledsoe County with 46%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Rhea County has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 37% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Meigs County with 42%. 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 indicates it has a Public Assistance Percent of 16.8% which is in the mid point range of other counties in the area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Bledsoe County which depicts a households with public assistance of 24.3% (44.8% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Rhea County depicts it has a Gini Index of 45.1% which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region.

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 630 am to 7am at 12% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 7am to 730am at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 830 am to 9am at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 11% 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 of less than 5 minutesutes at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 7% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Rhea County indicates it has a Avg Commute Time of 23 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Rhea County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 54.7% 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 the percentage of no vehicle available less than most other counties in the local area at 14% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 9% of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of 4 vehicles available at 11% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Van Buren County with 12%. 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 Work in city or place where live of 50% 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% (18.7% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Rhea County is 19.1% 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 14.0% 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 shows it has the hightest median earnings of $74,722 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Rhea County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $72,760 for the earnings-protective service occupations category. 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 shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 32% for the self employed in sales and office related 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. Rhea County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 27% for the self employed in construction classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Rhea County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $21,229 which is the second smallest in order of average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the metro 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 $40,405 (about twice as large). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Rhea County is approximately half the size. Also, measured against the state of Tennessee, average annual self employment income of $39,208, Rhea 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.) Rhea County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.