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 | Novato | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $110,711 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $86,151 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 23.6% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Novato is about 14% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in Novato (4.5%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 24% of adults in Novato 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 Novato, California grew by 40.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $110,711 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Novato | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Novato | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.551 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $95,054 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $72,353 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.9% | 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 Novato, it is 0.551, 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 31% more than women's income in Novato, California. Over a 35-year career, a 31% wage gap accumulates to roughly $794,535 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Novato, California has widened from about 22% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,815 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Novato | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.6% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,724 people are unemployed in Novato, California.
The average commute time in Novato is 23 minutes, about the same as in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Novato, California has risen from 6.9% to 7.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Novato, California has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than California, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Novato, California.
How Rich Is Novato, California?
Novato has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $110,711, about 14% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Novato, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Novato, California is $110,711.
What was the median household income in Novato in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Novato, California was $110,711.
What was the median household income in Novato in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Novato, California was $101,831.
What is the Gini coefficient in Novato, California?
The Gini coefficient in Novato is 0.551. 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 Novato, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Novato, California has widened from about 22% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,815 since 2009.