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 | Plumas County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,896 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $66,734 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.6% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.8% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Plumas County is about 30% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Plumas County (4.6%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Plumas 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 Plumas County, California grew by 51.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,896 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Plumas County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Plumas County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.528 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $75,787 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $58,737 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.5% | 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 Plumas County, it is 0.528, 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 29% more than women's income in Plumas County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $596,750 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Plumas County, California has widened from about 19% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,411 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Plumas County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.0% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 769 people are unemployed in Plumas County, California.
The average commute time in Plumas County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Plumas County, California has fallen from 14.2% to 9.7% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Plumas County, California has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with California, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Plumas County, California.
How Rich Is Plumas County, California?
Plumas County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $67,896, about 30% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Plumas County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Plumas County, California is $67,896.
What was the median household income in Plumas County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Plumas County, California was $67,896.
What was the median household income in Plumas County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Plumas County, California was $58,148.
What is the Gini coefficient in Plumas County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Plumas County is 0.528. 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 Plumas County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Plumas County, California has widened from about 19% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,411 since 2009.