Ritchie County Income Charts

This section shows the Ritchie County West Virginia economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2021 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Ritchie County shows it has a Median earnings of $37,831 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Wirt County which shows a median earnings of $43,125 (14.0% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $50,459, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, in comparison with the state of West Virginia, median earnings per worker of $42,479, Ritchie County is about 12.3% 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 $44,328 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Pleasants County which shows a median income of $55,508 (25.2% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $64,994, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of West Virginia, median household income of $48,037, Ritchie County is about 8.4% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Ritchie County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the percentage of earnings less than $10,000 the second smallest when sorted by median earnings of less than $10,000 of all the other counties in the metro area at 6.0% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 10.0% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Tyler County with 10.9%.

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 second most of all the counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Pleasants County which shows 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 $17.92 which is the second smallest when ranked by average hourly earnings of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Wirt County which depicts an average hourly earnings of $21.10 (17.8% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $25.01, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of West Virginia, average hourly earnings of $20.95, Ritchie County is about 16.9% 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 depicts it has a Self Employed of 8.9% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Ritchie 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 local area at $50,393 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $52,554 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Doddridge County ($62,727), and #1 Pleasants County ($81,667) are larger. Third, it has the second smallest in order of median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by median income-45 to 64 years at $37,152 of the total.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Ritchie County has the largest proportion of income from wages at 7.5% 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 33.0% 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 35.4% (7.1% 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 terms of overall family income of all the other counties in the metro area at $53,750 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 shows it has the hightest cost of 102.9 for the cost of transportation group.

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 depicts that from January 2010 to before the disasterous Coronavirus Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 11.1% to 8.5% in March 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 23.4%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.4% This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 48.2%. 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 January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID-19 Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 4,210 to 4,434 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 5.3%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 4,310 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 2.8%.

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 2.4% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Gilmer County which shows a rate of 5.0% (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 47.1% which is the third most participation rates of all other counties in the greater Ritchie County 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 very much 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 34.3% which is the second most families with a single earner of all the counties in the greater Ritchie County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Doddridge County which depicts a single earners rate of 34.6% ( about the same size). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Ritchie County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 27.5% which is the second smallest when sorted 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 Tyler County which indicates a families with no worker of 39.5% (43.8% 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 shows it has a Total In Poverty of 1,551 which is the second most total people earning less than the poverty level of all the counties in the greater Ritchie County 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 1,747 (12.6% 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 shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 16.1% which is the third most percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all other counties in the greater Ritchie County region. 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 24.5% (52.1% larger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Ritchie County has the largest proportion of person in poverty under 12 years at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the area as measured by person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 18% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 16% of the total. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 20% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Pleasants County with 22%.

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 95% 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 61% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Calhoun County (73%), and #1 Wirt County (88%) 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 #3. Only #2 Calhoun County (73%), and #1 Wirt County (90%) are larger. 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 depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 14.3% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Calhoun County which depicts a households with public assistance of 28.1% (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 shows it has a Gini Index of 45.0% which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region.

Ritchie County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Ritchie County or elsewhere.) Ritchie County has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 0% of the total and is ranked #1.

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 the second smallest in terms of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am of all the other counties in the local area 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 530 am to 6am at 15% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 730 am to 8am at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 830 am to 9am at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. 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 the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 16% 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 28 which is the second smallest when sorted by average commute time of all the other counties in the area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Ritchie County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 59.3% 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 42% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Gilmer County (45%), and #1 Pleasants County (51%) are larger. Second, it has in the mid range of other counties in the metro area in terms of 4 vehicles available at 2% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Ritchie County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 32% which is less than most 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 Gilmer County which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 63% (about twice as large). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 43%, Ritchie County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of West Virginia, people who both work and live in the same city of 36%, Ritchie County is about 11.7% 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 depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $64,607 for the management, business, and financial 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 $60,263 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. 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 50% for the self employed in service 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. Ritchie County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 45% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services category.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Ritchie County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $51,402 which is at the top of all other counties in the greater region. Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $40,101, Ritchie County is 28.2% larger. Also, versus the state of West Virginia, average annual self employment income of $31,205, Ritchie County is 64.7% larger.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Ritchie County shows total number of self-employed men 10.0% larger as the total number of self-employed women.