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 | Fountain Valley | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $112,773 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $74,898 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 17.8% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fountain Valley is about 17% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in Fountain Valley (4.6%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 18% of adults in Fountain Valley 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 Fountain Valley, California grew by 40.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $112,773 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Fountain Valley | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Fountain Valley | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.585 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $82,854 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $66,603 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.6% | 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 Fountain Valley, it is 0.585, 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.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Fountain Valley, California. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $568,785 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fountain Valley, California has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,147 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fountain Valley | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.1% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,864 people are unemployed in Fountain Valley, California.
The average commute time in Fountain Valley is 23 minutes, about the same as in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fountain Valley, California has fallen from 7.8% to 6.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fountain Valley, 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 Fountain Valley, California.
How Rich Is Fountain Valley, California?
Fountain Valley 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 $112,773, about 17% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Fountain Valley, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Fountain Valley, California is $112,773.
What was the median household income in Fountain Valley in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fountain Valley, California was $112,773.
What was the median household income in Fountain Valley in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fountain Valley, California was $88,072.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fountain Valley, California?
The Gini coefficient in Fountain Valley is 0.585. 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 Fountain Valley, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fountain Valley, California has narrowed from about 27% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,147 since 2009.