Indicator

Description: Income inequality increases when high-income households experience more rapid income growth than low-income households.  The median reflects the income level where half of the households are above and half are below.  When the household income distribution is symmetrical, average and median will be the same and the average to median ratio will equal one.  When income increases more rapidly for high-income households, the ratio shown will increase.  When income grows faster for low-income households, the ratio will decrease.  When income grows equally among households, the ratio will remain stable.

Performance Measure: Ratio of Median Household Income to Average Household Income in Fairfax County – measures the ratio of the median household income in the Fairfax/Falls Church area to the average household income.  Income inequality increases when high-income households experience more rapid income growth than low-income households.   

Data: Infographic – Household Income

Interpretation: Based on currently available data (2013 to 2017), the ratio of median income to average income in the Fairfax County/Falls Church area exceeded 1.0 again in 2017, thereby signaling that high-income households continue to have a greater share of total household income. 

Source: U.S Census Bureau, One-Year American Community Survey, PUMS Files, 2013 to 2017