Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 70% 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 | Humboldt County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,555 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,117 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.5% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Humboldt County is about 36% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Humboldt County (5.3%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Humboldt County 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 Humboldt County, California grew by 57.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $61,555 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Humboldt County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Humboldt County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.560 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,202 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,257 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.9% | 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 Humboldt County, it is 0.560, 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 14% more than women's income in Humboldt County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $243,075 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Humboldt County, California has narrowed from about 21% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,156 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Humboldt County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.9% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 5,702 people are unemployed in Humboldt County, California.
The average commute time in Humboldt County is 15 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Humboldt County, California has fallen from 9.7% to 8.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Humboldt County, California has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than California, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Humboldt County, California.
How Rich Is Humboldt County, California?
Humboldt 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 $61,555, about 36% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Humboldt County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Humboldt County, California is $61,555.
What was the median household income in Humboldt County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Humboldt County, California was $61,555.
What was the median household income in Humboldt County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Humboldt County, California was $49,219.
What is the Gini coefficient in Humboldt County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Humboldt County is 0.560. 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 Humboldt County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Humboldt County, California has narrowed from about 21% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,156 since 2009.