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 | East Palo Alto | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $102,139 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,516 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 8.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.7% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in East Palo Alto is about 6% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in East Palo Alto (8.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 14% of adults in East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto, California grew by 108.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $102,139 in 2023. That's an average of about 8.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in East Palo Alto | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | East Palo Alto | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.584 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $56,848 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $58,617 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -3.1% | 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 East Palo Alto, it is 0.584, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 3% more than men's income in East Palo Alto, California. Over a 35-year career, a 3% wage gap accumulates to roughly $61,915 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in East Palo Alto, California has narrowed from about -22% to -3% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,054 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | East Palo Alto | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.4% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 705 people are unemployed in East Palo Alto, California.
The average commute time in East Palo Alto is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in East Palo Alto, California has fallen from 11.9% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, East Palo Alto, California has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with California, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in East Palo Alto, California.
How Wealthy Is East Palo Alto, California?
East Palo Alto has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $102,139, about 6% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in East Palo Alto, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in East Palo Alto, California is $102,139.
What was the median household income in East Palo Alto in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in East Palo Alto, California was $102,139.
What was the median household income in East Palo Alto in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in East Palo Alto, California was $92,088.
What is the Gini coefficient in East Palo Alto, California?
The Gini coefficient in East Palo Alto is 0.584. 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 East Palo Alto, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in East Palo Alto, California has narrowed from about -22% to -3% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,054 since 2009.