Lewis County Income Charts

This section shows the Lewis 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, Lewis County shows it has a Median earnings of $45,025 which is the second most median earnings of all the counties in the greater Lewis County region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Harrison County which shows a median earnings of $47,110 (only about 4.6% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Lewis County is about 18.3% smaller. Also, benchmarked against the state of West Virginia, median earnings per worker of $44,509, Lewis County is only slightly larger.

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 $45,345 which is in the middle range of other counties in the area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Doddridge County which depicts a median income of $58,750 (29.6% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Lewis County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of West Virginia, median household income of $50,884, Lewis County is about 12.2% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Lewis County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the percentage of earnings less than $10,000 the second smallest in order of median earnings of less than $10,000 of all the other counties in the surrounding region at 7.3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 9.4% 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 40.6 which is the most of all counties in the metro area. 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 $21.33 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Harrison County which shows an average hourly earnings of $23.05 (8.1% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Lewis County is about 23.8% smaller. Also, in contrast to the state of West Virginia, average hourly earnings of $21.95, Lewis County is only about 2.9% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Lewis County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Lewis County depicts it has a Self Employed of 8.5% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Lewis County region.

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 order of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the surrounding region at $51,509 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $61,827 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Doddridge County ($62,125), and #1 Harrison County ($65,860) are larger. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $34,182 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Lewis County has the largest proportion of income from wages at 7.3% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of self employment income at 13.8% 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 27.1% which is the second smallest as measured by households with retirement income of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Doddridge County which shows a households with retirement income of 36.6% (35.2% 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 $61,173 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Harrison County ($73,199), and #1 Doddridge County ($73,210) are larger.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lewis County shows it has the hightest cost of 100.7 for the cost of transportation category.

Lewis 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 shows that from February 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 11.5% to 8.8% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 23.5%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.9% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 33.0%. 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 Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 6,780 to 6,227 in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 8.2%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 6,207 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 Lewis County shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 4.3% which is the third most unemployment rate of all other counties in the greater Lewis County region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Braxton County which shows a rate of 7.2% (66.8% larger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Lewis County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 51.8% which is the third most of all other counties in the local area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Lewis 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 Lewis County area. Lewis County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 32.4% which is the third most families with a single earner of all other counties in the greater Lewis County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Braxton County which depicts a single earners rate of 41.2% (27.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Lewis County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 29.4% which is the third most families with no one working of all other counties in the greater Lewis County region. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Gilmer County which depicts a families with no worker of 36.8% (25.2% larger).

Lewis County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Lewis 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. Lewis County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 2,854 which is in the middle range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Harrison County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 9,846 (approximately 3.4 times bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Lewis County shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 17.2% which is in the middle range of other counties in the area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Barbour County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 20.8% (21.1% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Lewis County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 14% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 16% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Lewis County has one of the largest proportions of american indian poverty rate at 34% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Barbour County with 34%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Lewis County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 47% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Upshur County (48%), and #1 Braxton County (55%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 52% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Braxton County with 90%.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Lewis County has the smallest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 2% 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. Lewis County has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and employed at 10.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 13.6% of the total. 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.) Lewis County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 21.7% which is the highest of all counties in the local area.

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Lewis County shows it has a Gini Index of 48.5% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Lewis County region.

Lewis 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 Lewis 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.) Lewis County has the smallest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 2% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Lewis County or elsewhere.) Lewis County has the largest proportion of people who bike at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who walked at 1% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other 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. Lewis County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 9% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Doddridge County with 10%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 4% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 15% 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. Lewis County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes less than most other counties in the greater region at 10% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 3% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Lewis County depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 27 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Lewis County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 64.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Lewis County has the percentage of 1 vehicle available the second smallest in order of no vehicle available of all the other counties in the local area at 36% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has less than most other counties in the metro area in terms of 4 vehicles available at 3% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Lewis County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 43% which is in the mid range of 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 Upshur County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 62% (45.4% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Lewis County is only about 3.3% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of West Virginia, people who both work and live in the same city of 36%, Lewis County is 16.7% larger.

Lewis 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. Lewis County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $88,879 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Lewis County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $58,419 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations aggregate. The table in Figure 48, shows Lewis County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Lewis 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. Lewis County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 47% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses category.

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. Lewis County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 15% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Lewis County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $56,146 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Lewis County region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Lewis County is 33.2% larger. Also, benchmarked against the state of West Virginia, average annual self employment income of $33,509, Lewis County is 67.6% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Lewis County shows total number of self-employed men approximately 2.2 times bigger as the total number of self-employed women.