Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 91% 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 | Merced County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,013 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,556 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.9% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Merced County is about 33% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Merced County (5.6%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Merced 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 Merced County, California grew by 47.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $65,013 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Merced County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Merced County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.600 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $54,562 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,020 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.7% | 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 Merced County, it is 0.600, about the same as California's 0.596, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Merced County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $298,970 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merced County, California has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $299 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Merced County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.7% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.4% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 13,441 people are unemployed in Merced County, California.
The average commute time in Merced County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Merced County, California has fallen from 15.2% to 10.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Merced 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 Merced County, California.
How Rich Is Merced County, California?
Merced 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 $65,013, about 33% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Merced County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Merced County, California is $65,013.
What was the median household income in Merced County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Merced County, California was $65,013.
What was the median household income in Merced County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Merced County, California was $56,698.
What is the Gini coefficient in Merced County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Merced County is 0.600. 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 Merced County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Merced County, California has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $299 since 2009.