Wealth Index
Among the top 5 wealthiest 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 | Santa Clara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $160,399 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $108,149 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.7% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 30.5% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Santa Clara County is about 66% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in Santa Clara County (6.7%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 31% of adults in Santa Clara County 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 Santa Clara County, California grew by 85.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $160,399 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.7% per year.
Economic Inequality in Santa Clara County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Santa Clara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.572 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $116,082 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $93,749 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.2% | 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 Clara 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 24% more than women's income in Santa Clara County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $781,655 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 Clara County, California has narrowed from about 25% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,540 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Santa Clara County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 21.9% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 46,645 people are unemployed in Santa Clara County, California.
The average commute time in Santa Clara County is 23 minutes, about the same as in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Santa Clara County, California has fallen from 8.6% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Santa Clara County, 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 Santa Clara County, California.
How Rich Is Santa Clara County, California?
Santa Clara County 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 $160,399, about 66% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Santa Clara County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Santa Clara County, California is $160,399.
What was the median household income in Santa Clara County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Santa Clara County, California was $160,399.
What was the median household income in Santa Clara County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Santa Clara County, California was $131,273.
What is the Gini coefficient in Santa Clara County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Clara County, California has narrowed from about 25% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,540 since 2009.