Wealth Index
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 | Bell Gardens | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,525 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $36,742 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 1.8% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bell Gardens is about 43% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Bell Gardens (5.7%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 2% of adults in Bell Gardens earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bell Gardens, California grew by 42.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,525 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Bell Gardens | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Bell Gardens | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.557 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $39,053 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $32,954 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.6% | 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 Bell Gardens, it is 0.557, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Bell Gardens, California. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $213,465 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in Bell Gardens, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 16%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,510 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bell Gardens | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.2% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,058 people are unemployed in Bell Gardens, California.
The average commute time in Bell Gardens is 28 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bell Gardens, California has fallen from 9.8% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bell Gardens, California has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than California, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bell Gardens, California.
How Rich Is Bell Gardens, California?
Bell Gardens has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $55,525, about 43% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Bell Gardens, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Bell Gardens, California is $55,525.
What was the median household income in Bell Gardens in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bell Gardens, California was $55,525.
What was the median household income in Bell Gardens in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bell Gardens, California was $45,300.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bell Gardens, California?
The Gini coefficient in Bell Gardens is 0.557. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Bell Gardens, California?
The income gap between men and women in Bell Gardens, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 16%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,510 since 2009.