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 | West Carson | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,679 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $63,983 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.7% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in West Carson is about the same as in California. Income has been growing slower in West Carson (5.4%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 13% of adults in West Carson 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 West Carson, California grew by 44.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $96,679 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in West Carson | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | West Carson | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.560 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $65,099 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $62,906 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 3.4% | 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 West Carson, it is 0.560, 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 3% more than women's income in West Carson, California. Over a 35-year career, a 3% wage gap accumulates to roughly $76,755 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
The income gap between men and women in West Carson, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 3%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $630 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | West Carson | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.7% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 602 people are unemployed in West Carson, California.
The average commute time in West Carson is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in West Carson, California has fallen from 9.8% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, West Carson, 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 West Carson, California.
How Rich Is West Carson, California?
West Carson 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 $96,679, close to the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in West Carson, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in West Carson, California is $96,679.
What was the median household income in West Carson in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in West Carson, California was $96,679.
What was the median household income in West Carson in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in West Carson, California was $77,955.
What is the Gini coefficient in West Carson, California?
The Gini coefficient in West Carson is 0.560. 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 West Carson, California?
The income gap between men and women in West Carson, California has stayed about the same since 2009, at around 3%. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $630 since 2009.