Highland County Income Charts

This section shows the Highland County Virginia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Highland County shows it has a Median earnings of $38,164 which is the third most median earnings of all other counties in the greater Highland County region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Augusta County which depicts a median earnings of $44,612 (16.9% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, Highland County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Virginia, median earnings per worker of $53,822, Highland County is approximately three-fourths the size.

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 $48,587 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Augusta County which depicts a median income of $62,711 (29.1% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, Highland County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of Virginia, median household income of $74,222, Highland County is approximately three-fourths the size.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Highland County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 6.1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 2.7% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 35.9 which is the smallest when ranked by average hours of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Bath County which depicts an average hours of 39.3 (9.5% 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 $20.44 which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Augusta County which shows an average hourly earnings of $21.83 (6.8% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, Highland County is about 18.9% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of Virginia, average hourly earnings of $26.47, Highland County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Highland County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Highland County shows it has a Self Employed of 15.2% which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Highland County region.

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the smallest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $42,784 of the total. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area in terms of median income-25 to 44 years at $54,375 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $47,434 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Bath County with $48,833.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Highland County has the largest proportion of self employment income at 30.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of investment and retirement income at 19.9% 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 With Retirement Income of 30.4% which is the second most of all the counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Pendleton County which depicts a households with retirement income of 30.7% ( about the same size).

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 surrounding region at $55,192 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. Highland County depicts it has the hightest cost of 100.0 for the cost of utilities grouping.

Highland 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 disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 8.6% to 3.1% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 64.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.3% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 6.5%. 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 depicts that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan virus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 1,378 to 1,207 in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 12.4%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 1,232 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 2.1%.

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 Highland County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 1.7% which is the smallest in order of unemployment rate of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Bath County which depicts a rate of 4.7% (approximately 2.7 times bigger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Highland County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 46.0% which is the smallest in terms of participation rate of all the other counties in the local 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). Highland County has the smallest proportion of employed at 1.7% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unemployed at 54.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Highland County depicts full time employees approximately 2.7 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 Highland County area. Highland County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 27.9% which is the third most families with a single earner of all other counties in the greater Highland County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Randolph County which shows a single earners rate of 30.4% (9.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Highland County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 36.1% which is the second most of all the counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Bath County which depicts a families with no worker of 40.3% (11.9% larger).

Highland County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Highland 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. Highland County shows it has a Total In Poverty of 220 which is the smallest as measured by total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Augusta County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 6,128 ( very much bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Highland County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 10.1% which is the second smallest when ranked by percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Randolph County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 18.5% (about twice as large).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Highland County has one of the largest proportions of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 30% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Bath County with 32%. Second, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 18% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Highland County has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 62% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Randolph County (67%), and #1 Pocahontas County (80%) are larger.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Highland County has the smallest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 7% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Highland County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 36.8% 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.) Highland County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 2.4% which is the smallest in terms of households with public assistance of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Randolph County which shows a households with public assistance of 16.4% ( very much bigger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Highland County depicts it has a Gini Index of 41.8% which is less than most other counties in the local area.

Highland 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 Highland 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.) Highland County has the largest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Highland County or elsewhere.) Highland County has the largest proportion of people who walked at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Highland County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 6% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 8% 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 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 3% 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. Highland County has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 11% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 45 to 59 minutes at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Pendleton County with 18%.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Highland County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 27 which is the second most average commute time of all the counties in the greater Highland County region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Highland County shows average commute time in minutes for men 23.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Highland County has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 4% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 36% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of 3 vehicles available at 14% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Pocahontas County (15%), and #1 Augusta County (15%) are larger. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of 4 vehicles available at 7% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Augusta County (11%), and #1 Bath County (18%) are larger. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Highland County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 48% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Bath County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 63% (31.0% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Highland County is 14.8% larger. Also, versus the state of Virginia, people who both work and live in the same city of 33%, Highland County is 45.2% larger.

Highland 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. Highland County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $63,750 for the management, business, and financial occupations aggregate. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Highland County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $50,714 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Highland County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Highland 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. Highland County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 67% 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. Highland County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 33% for the self employed in construction aggregate.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Highland County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $16,674 which is the second smallest as measured by average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Pendleton County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $49,482 (approximately 3.0 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, Highland County is approximately half the size. Also, measured against the state of Virginia, average annual self employment income of $37,270, Highland 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.) Highland County shows total number of self-employed men quite a bit bigger as the total number of self-employed women.