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 | Walnut Creek | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $134,233 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $114,376 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 32.8% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Walnut Creek is about 39% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in Walnut Creek (6.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 33% of adults in Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek, California grew by 65.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $134,233 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Walnut Creek | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Walnut Creek | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.520 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $119,950 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $105,555 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.0% | 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 Walnut Creek, it is 0.520, 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.
Men's income is about 14% more than women's income in Walnut Creek, California. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $503,825 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Walnut Creek, California has narrowed from about 30% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $12,133 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Walnut Creek | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 28.0% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,775 people are unemployed in Walnut Creek, California.
The average commute time in Walnut Creek is 27 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Walnut Creek, California has fallen from 6.2% to 5.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Walnut Creek, California has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it far better than California, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Walnut Creek, California.
How Rich Is Walnut Creek, California?
Walnut Creek 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 it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $134,233, about 39% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Walnut Creek, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Walnut Creek, California is $134,233.
What was the median household income in Walnut Creek in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Walnut Creek, California was $134,233.
What was the median household income in Walnut Creek in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Walnut Creek, California was $111,574.
What is the Gini coefficient in Walnut Creek, California?
The Gini coefficient in Walnut Creek is 0.520. 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 Walnut Creek, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Walnut Creek, California has narrowed from about 30% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $12,133 since 2009.