Wealth Index
Wealthier than 79% 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 | San Benito County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $109,656 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $67,353 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 14.9% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in San Benito County is about 13% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in San Benito County (5.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 15% of adults in San Benito 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 San Benito County, California grew by 59.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $109,656 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in San Benito County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | San Benito County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.572 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $73,876 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $54,931 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 25.6% | 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 San Benito County, it is 0.572, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 34% more than women's income in San Benito County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 34% wage gap accumulates to roughly $663,075 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Benito County, California has widened from about 23% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,378 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | San Benito County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.3% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 30 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 2,038 people are unemployed in San Benito County, California.
The average commute time in San Benito County is 30 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in San Benito County, California has fallen from 11.0% to 6.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, San Benito County, 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 San Benito County, California.
How Rich Is San Benito County, California?
San Benito County 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 $109,656, about 13% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in San Benito County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in San Benito County, California is $109,656.
What was the median household income in San Benito County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in San Benito County, California was $109,656.
What was the median household income in San Benito County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in San Benito County, California was $86,881.
What is the Gini coefficient in San Benito County, California?
The Gini coefficient in San Benito County is 0.572. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in San Benito County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Benito County, California has widened from about 23% to 26% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $7,378 since 2009.