Ritchie County Income Charts

This section shows the Ritchie 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, Ritchie County depicts it has a Median earnings of $41,120 which is in the mid range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Wirt County which depicts a median earnings of $43,295 (only about 5.3% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of West Virginia, median earnings per worker of $44,509, Ritchie County is about 8.2% 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 $45,184 which is the second smallest in terms of median household income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Doddridge County which shows a median income of $58,750 (30.0% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of West Virginia, median household income of $50,884, Ritchie County is about 12.6% smaller.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 40.5 which is the second most average hours of all the counties in the greater Ritchie County region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Pleasants County which depicts an average hours of 41.1 ( only slightly 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 $19.53 which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Wirt County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $21.35 (9.3% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of West Virginia, average hourly earnings of $21.95, Ritchie County is about 12.4% smaller.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Ritchie County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Ritchie County shows it has a Self Employed of 9.2% which is the second most of all the counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Pleasants County which shows a percentage self employed of 10.2% (10.4% 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 order of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the surrounding region at $53,036 of the total. Second, it has in the center range of other counties in the greater region when sorted by median income-25 to 44 years at $56,607 of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $36,715 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 33.7% which is the third most households with retirement income of all other counties in the greater Ritchie County region. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Tyler County which shows a households with retirement income of 39.2% (16.5% 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 order of overall family income of all the other counties in the area at $56,170 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. Ritchie County depicts it has the hightest cost of 102.9 for the cost of transportation grouping.

Ritchie 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 12.2% to 7.8% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 36.1%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.6% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 41.0%. 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 depicts that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan virus Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 4,296 to 4,434 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 3.2%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 4,351 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 Ritchie County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.2% which is the second smallest in terms of unemployment rate of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Calhoun County which depicts a rate of 4.8% (about twice as large). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Ritchie County depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 43.1% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Ritchie County shows full time employees substantially 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 Ritchie County area. Ritchie County shows it has a Single Earner Families of 32.6% which is the third most of all other counties in the area. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Doddridge County which depicts a single earners rate of 39.9% (22.3% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Ritchie County shows it has a Families with No One Working of 29.9% which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area. 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% (22.9% larger).

Ritchie County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Ritchie 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. Ritchie County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 1,536 which is the second most of all the counties in the greater region. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Calhoun County which shows a total people earning less than the poverty level of 1,805 (17.5% larger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Ritchie County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 18.2% which is the third most of all other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Calhoun County which shows a percent of people in poverty of 28.4% (56.3% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Ritchie County has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 14% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Ritchie County has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 86% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Ritchie County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 62% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Wirt County (65%), and #1 Calhoun County (77%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 71% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Calhoun County with 75%. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the greater region as measured by unmarried female with children and in poverty at 9% 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.) Ritchie County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 14.4% which is in the middle range of other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Wirt County which shows a households with public assistance of 27.9% (about twice as large).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Ritchie County depicts it has a Gini Index of 45.8% which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area.

Ritchie County Work Commute Charts

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Ritchie County has the percentage of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am less than most other counties in the surrounding region at 6% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 5am to 530am at 6% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 17% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 11% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 1% of the total. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 4% 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. Ritchie County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Gilmer County with 13%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 15% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Ritchie County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 30 which is the second smallest when ranked by average commute time of all the other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Ritchie County shows average commute time in minutes for men 32.3% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Ritchie County has one of the largest proportions of 1 vehicle available at 40% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Calhoun County (40%), and #1 Pleasants County (50%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of 3 vehicles available at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Wirt County with 21%. Third, it has less than most other counties in the surrounding region as measured by 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.) Ritchie County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 35% which is the third most people who both work and live in the same city of all other counties in the greater Ritchie County region. 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% (75.3% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of West Virginia, people who both work and live in the same city of 36%, Ritchie County is only about 3.7% smaller.

Ritchie 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. Ritchie County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $70,260 for the earnings-natural resources, construction, maintenance occupations classification. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Ritchie County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $48,750 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations category. The table in Figure 48, shows Ritchie County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Ritchie 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. Ritchie County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 57% for the self employed in service 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. Ritchie County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 52% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services classification.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Ritchie County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $36,954 which is the second most average annual self employment income of all the counties in the greater Ritchie County region. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Pleasants County which shows an average annual self employment income of $56,810 (53.7% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Ritchie County is about 14.0% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of West Virginia, average annual self employment income of $33,509, Ritchie County is 10.3% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Ritchie County depicts total number of self-employed men about 20.9% smaller as the total number of self-employed women.