Wealth Index
Among the 3 least wealthy 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 | Imperial County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,138 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $50,546 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.1% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.2% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Imperial County is about 42% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Imperial County (4.1%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Imperial 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 Imperial County, California grew by 48.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,138 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Imperial County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Imperial County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.648 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,834 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,521 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.3% | 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 Imperial County, it is 0.648, higher than California's 0.596, so income is less 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 25% more than women's income in Imperial County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $395,955 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Imperial County, California has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,374 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Imperial County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 12.5% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.5% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 8,809 people are unemployed in Imperial County, California.
The average commute time in Imperial County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Imperial County, California has fallen from 16.4% to 12.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Imperial 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 Imperial County, California.
How Wealthy Is Imperial County, California?
Imperial 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 $56,138, about 42% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Imperial County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Imperial County, California is $56,138.
What was the median household income in Imperial County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Imperial County, California was $56,138.
What was the median household income in Imperial County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Imperial County, California was $46,141.
What is the Gini coefficient in Imperial County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Imperial County is 0.648. 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 Imperial County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Imperial County, California has narrowed from about 31% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,374 since 2009.