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 | Sierra County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $59,999 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $56,944 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.5% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.1% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Sierra County is about 38% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Sierra County (4.5%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Sierra 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 Sierra County, California grew by 8.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $59,999 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Sierra County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Sierra County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.551 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $53,954 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $58,888 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -9.1% | 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 Sierra County, it is 0.551, 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.
Women's income is about 9% more than men's income in Sierra County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 9% wage gap accumulates to roughly $172,690 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sierra County, California has narrowed from about 15% to -9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $12,393 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Sierra County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 12.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 13.0% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 147 people are unemployed in Sierra County, California.
The average commute time in Sierra County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Sierra County, California has risen from 11.3% to 12.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Sierra 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 Sierra County, California.
How Rich Is Sierra County, California?
Sierra 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 $59,999, about 38% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Sierra County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Sierra County, California is $59,999.
What was the median household income in Sierra County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Sierra County, California was $59,999.
What was the median household income in Sierra County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Sierra County, California was $53,028.
What is the Gini coefficient in Sierra County, California?
The Gini coefficient in Sierra County is 0.551. 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 Sierra County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Sierra County, California has narrowed from about 15% to -9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $12,393 since 2009.