Wealth Index
Least wealthy county 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 | Lassen County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,145 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $55,131 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.4% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Lassen County is about 33% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Lassen County (3.4%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Lassen 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 Lassen County, California grew by 33.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,145 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Lassen County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Lassen County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.695 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $57,918 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,691 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.0% | 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 Lassen County, it is 0.695, 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 10% more than women's income in Lassen County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $182,945 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lassen County, California has narrowed from about 28% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,584 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Lassen County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.7% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 16 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 787 people are unemployed in Lassen County, California.
The average commute time in Lassen County is 16 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Lassen County, California has fallen from 9.9% to 7.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Lassen 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 Lassen County, California.
How Rich Is Lassen County, California?
Lassen 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 $65,145, about 33% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Lassen County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Lassen County, California is $65,145.
What was the median household income in Lassen County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Lassen County, California was $65,145.
What was the median household income in Lassen County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Lassen County, California was $57,140.
What is the Gini coefficient in Lassen County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Lassen County is 0.695. 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 Lassen County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Lassen County, California has narrowed from about 28% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,584 since 2009.