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 | Santa Barbara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,215 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $63,726 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 15.3% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Santa Barbara County is about 1% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Santa Barbara County (5.6%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 15% of adults in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County, California grew by 62.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $96,215 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Santa Barbara County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Santa Barbara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.588 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,654 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $61,075 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 7.0% | 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 Santa Barbara County, it is 0.588, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 7% more than women's income in Santa Barbara County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 7% wage gap accumulates to roughly $160,265 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Barbara County, California has narrowed from about 14% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,101 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Santa Barbara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.5% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 13,563 people are unemployed in Santa Barbara County, California.
The average commute time in Santa Barbara County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Santa Barbara County, California has fallen from 8.2% to 6.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County, California.
How Rich Is Santa Barbara County, California?
Santa Barbara 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 $96,215, about 1% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Santa Barbara County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Santa Barbara County, California is $96,215.
What was the median household income in Santa Barbara County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Santa Barbara County, California was $96,215.
What was the median household income in Santa Barbara County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Santa Barbara County, California was $79,209.
What is the Gini coefficient in Santa Barbara County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Santa Barbara County is 0.588. 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 Santa Barbara County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Barbara County, California has narrowed from about 14% to 7% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,101 since 2009.