Wealth Index
Among the 5 least wealthy counties in Arizona
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | Arizona Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $52,799 | $77,100 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $46,673 | $58,256 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 5.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.3% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Santa Cruz County is about 32% lower than in Arizona. Income has been growing slower in Santa Cruz County (4.6%/yr) than in Arizona (5.9%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Santa Cruz County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Arizona average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona grew by 38.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $52,799 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Santa Cruz County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | Arizona Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.619 | 0.571 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,020 | $63,179 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $42,961 | $52,803 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.4% | 16.4% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Santa Cruz County, it is 0.619, higher than Arizona's 0.571, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 14% more than women's income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $212,065 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Cruz County, Arizona has narrowed from about 21% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $826 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | Arizona Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.5% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.3% | 16.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,209 people are unemployed in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
The average commute time in Santa Cruz County is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Arizona.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Santa Cruz County, Arizona has fallen from 13.2% to 10.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Santa Cruz County, Arizona has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Arizona, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
How Rich Is Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
Santa Cruz County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $52,799, about 32% lower than the Arizona average of $77,100.
What is the current median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
As of 2023, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona is $52,799.
What was the median household income in Santa Cruz County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona was $52,799.
What was the median household income in Santa Cruz County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, Arizona was $41,998.
What is the Gini coefficient in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
The Gini coefficient in Santa Cruz County is 0.619. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Cruz County, Arizona has narrowed from about 21% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $826 since 2009.