Wealth Index
Wealthier than 91% of counties in California
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 | Alameda County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $126,458 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $93,156 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 26.1% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Alameda County is about 31% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in Alameda County (6.7%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 26% of adults in Alameda County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Alameda County, California grew by 82.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $126,458 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Alameda County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Alameda County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.569 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $100,170 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $85,281 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.9% | 12.8% | 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 Alameda County, it is 0.569, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 17% more than women's income in Alameda County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $521,115 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Alameda County, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 15%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,664 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Alameda County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 23.2% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 47,009 people are unemployed in Alameda County, California.
The average commute time in Alameda County is 30 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Alameda County, California has fallen from 9.2% to 5.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Alameda County, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than California, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Alameda County, California.
How Wealthy Is Alameda County, California?
Alameda County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $126,458, about 31% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Alameda County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Alameda County, California is $126,458.
What was the median household income in Alameda County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Alameda County, California was $126,458.
What was the median household income in Alameda County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Alameda County, California was $105,421.
What is the Gini coefficient in Alameda County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Alameda County is 0.569. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Alameda County, California?
The income gap between men and women in Alameda County, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 15%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,664 since 2009.