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 | Petaluma | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $105,294 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $83,158 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.9% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 19.7% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Petaluma is about 9% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in Petaluma (4.9%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 20% of adults in Petaluma 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 Petaluma, California grew by 55.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $105,294 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Petaluma | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Petaluma | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.546 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $88,275 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $76,975 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.8% | 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 Petaluma, it is 0.546, 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 15% more than women's income in Petaluma, California. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $395,500 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Petaluma, California has narrowed from about 15% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,037 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Petaluma | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.4% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,127 people are unemployed in Petaluma, California.
The average commute time in Petaluma is 27 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Petaluma, California has fallen from 7.4% to 5.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Petaluma, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than California, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Petaluma, California.
How Rich Is Petaluma, California?
Petaluma has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $105,294, about 9% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Petaluma, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Petaluma, California is $105,294.
What was the median household income in Petaluma in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Petaluma, California was $105,294.
What was the median household income in Petaluma in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Petaluma, California was $90,023.
What is the Gini coefficient in Petaluma, California?
The Gini coefficient in Petaluma is 0.546. 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 Petaluma, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Petaluma, California has narrowed from about 15% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,037 since 2009.