Wealth Index
Wealthier than 77% 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 | Santa Cruz County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $108,531 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $82,392 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 20.1% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Santa Cruz County is about 12% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in Santa Cruz County (6.5%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 20% of adults in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County, California grew by 69.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $108,531 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Santa Cruz County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.593 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $90,607 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $72,945 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 19.5% | 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 Santa Cruz County, it is 0.593, about the same as California's 0.596, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 24% more than women's income in Santa Cruz County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 24% wage gap accumulates to roughly $618,170 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 Cruz County, California has narrowed from about 24% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,029 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Santa Cruz County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.6% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 7,912 people are unemployed in Santa Cruz County, California.
The average commute time in Santa Cruz County is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Santa Cruz County, California has fallen from 8.4% to 5.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County, California.
How Rich Is Santa Cruz County, California?
Santa Cruz 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 $108,531, about 12% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Santa Cruz County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, California is $108,531.
What was the median household income in Santa Cruz County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, California was $108,531.
What was the median household income in Santa Cruz County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Santa Cruz County, California was $91,740.
What is the Gini coefficient in Santa Cruz County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Santa Cruz County is 0.593. 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 Cruz County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Santa Cruz County, California has narrowed from about 24% to 19% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,029 since 2009.