Braxton County Income Charts

This section shows the Braxton County West Virginia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Braxton County depicts it has a Median earnings of $40,500 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Lewis County which depicts a median earnings of $45,025 (11.2% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Braxton County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of West Virginia, median earnings per worker of $44,509, Braxton County is about 9.9% 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 $42,519 which is in the center range of other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Gilmer County which depicts a median income of $45,870 (7.9% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Braxton County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in contrast to the state of West Virginia, median household income of $50,884, Braxton County is about 19.7% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Braxton County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 12.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 20.8% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.6 which is the third most average hours of all other counties in the greater Braxton County region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Lewis County which depicts an average hours of 40.6 (only about 2.5% 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 $19.67 which is the second most average hourly earnings of all the counties in the greater Braxton County region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Lewis County which shows an average hourly earnings of $21.33 (8.4% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Braxton County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of West Virginia, average hourly earnings of $21.95, Braxton County is about 11.6% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Braxton County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Braxton County indicates it has a Self Employed of 3.8% which is the smallest as measured by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Lewis County which depicts a percentage self employed of 8.5% (approximately 2.3 times bigger).

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 $52,109 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Nicholas County ($52,952), and #1 Gilmer County ($65,441) are larger. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area when sorted by median income-25 to 44 years at $43,810 of the total. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $37,973 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Gilmer County with $38,092.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Braxton County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 0.6% 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 29.7% which is the third most households with retirement income of all other counties in the greater Braxton County region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Clay County which indicates a households with retirement income of 34.3% (15.4% 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 in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area at $49,423 of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of white family income at $21,638 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Braxton County shows it has the hightest cost of 102.9 for the cost of transportation grouping.

Braxton County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at 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 2022, the Covid 19 recession occurred and affects this metric. The monthly unemployment rate shows that from January 2017 to before the disasterous Covid-19 virus Pandemic it went from 10.5% to 12.6% in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 20.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.3%. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 57.9%. 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. The monthly labor force participation shows that from January 2017 to before the COVID-19 Pandemic it went from 5,522 to 5,257 in November 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 4.8%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 4,870. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 7.4%.

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 Braxton County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 7.2% which is at the top of all other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Braxton County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 45.6% which is the third most participation rates of all other counties in the greater Braxton 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). Braxton County has the largest proportion of employed at 7.2% 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. Braxton County depicts full time employees approximately 4.8 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 Braxton County area. Braxton County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 41.2% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Braxton County region. The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Braxton County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 31.6% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Gilmer County which shows a families with no worker of 36.8% (16.2% larger).

Braxton County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Braxton 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. Braxton County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 2,265 which is the third most total people earning less than the poverty level of all other counties in the greater Braxton County region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Nicholas County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 4,582 (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. Braxton County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 18.3% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Calhoun County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 28.4% (54.8% larger).

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Braxton County has the percentage of white poverty rate in the middle range of other counties in the local area at 8% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 74% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Nicholas County (100%), and #1 Calhoun County (100%) are larger.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Braxton County has the percentage of unmarried with children and in poverty the second smallest as measured by married with children and in poverty of all the other counties in the local area at 44% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 90% 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.) Braxton County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 17.5% which is the second smallest when sorted by 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 Clay County which shows a households with public assistance of 32.6% (about twice as large).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Braxton County shows it has a Gini Index of 42.9% which is less than most other counties in the metro area.

Braxton County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Braxton County or elsewhere.) Braxton County has the smallest proportion of people who carpooled at 5% of the total.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Braxton County has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am 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. Braxton County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes the second smallest when ranked by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region at 9% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest in terms of people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 10% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 11% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Braxton County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 31 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Braxton County depicts average commute time in minutes for men about twice as large as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Braxton County has the percentage of no vehicle available the second smallest in terms of no vehicle available of all the other counties in the metropolitan area at 13% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 52% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 22% of the total. Also, it has the second smallest when sorted by no vehicle available of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by 4 vehicles available at 1% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Braxton County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 26% which is the smallest when ranked by people who both work and live in the same city of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Gilmer County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 62% (approximately 2.4 times bigger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Braxton County is approximately half the size. Also, in comparison with the state of West Virginia, people who both work and live in the same city of 36%, Braxton County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Braxton 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. Braxton County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $73,125 for the earnings-natural resources, construction, maintenance occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Braxton County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $43,862 for the earnings-sales and office occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows Braxton County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Braxton 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. Braxton County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 58% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses group.

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. Braxton County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 32% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Braxton County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $8,339 which is the smallest in terms of average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Lewis County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $56,146 ( substantially bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Braxton County is approximately a fifth the size. Also, measured against the state of West Virginia, average annual self employment income of $33,509, Braxton County is approximately a quarter the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Braxton County shows total number of self-employed men approximately 2.6 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.