Lowest-earning counties in California

Written by:
July 14, 2022
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

Lowest-earning counties in California

Americans on the whole were doing well financially heading into 2020, with major markers like unemployment reaching 50-year lows. The pandemic changed all that: During the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year, our nation's real GDP fell by a whopping 31.4%, a number that hasn't been seen since the Great Depression. Since then the GDP has recovered, the first quarter of 2022 was 11% above the fourth quarter of 2019.

While GDP has recovered since the height of the pandemic, wage growth has not kept pace with inflation. In 2021 average hourly wages increased 4.7% while there was 7% inflation, meaning the worker's purchasing power dropped by 2.4%.

Where you live can make a big impact on your financial situation. The highest earning county in the U.S. earns $147,111, while the lowest earns $22,292. Stacker compiled a list of the lowest-earning counties in California using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the Census' 2020 5-year estimate median household income.

You may also like: California is the #8 state with the lowest Black homeownership gap

#50. Napa County

- Median household income: $92,219
--- 17.2% above state average, 41.9% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 46.8%
--- #71 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.0%
--- #3,064 highest among all counties nationwide

#49. Santa Cruz County

- Median household income: $89,986
--- 14.4% above state average, 38.5% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 45.8%
--- #84 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.0%
--- #3,050 highest among all counties nationwide

#48. Ventura County

- Median household income: $89,295
--- 13.5% above state average, 37.4% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 44.5%
--- #95 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 5.8%
--- #3,045 highest among all counties nationwide

#47. Sonoma County

- Median household income: $86,173
--- 9.5% above state average, 32.6% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 42.5%
--- #125 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.6%
--- #3,022 highest among all counties nationwide

#46. San Benito County

- Median household income: $85,808
--- 9.1% above state average, 32.0% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 43.0%
--- #116 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 4.6%
--- #3,019 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Countries California imports the most goods from

#45. Alpine County

- Median household income: $85,750
--- 9.0% above state average, 31.9% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 42.9%
--- #118 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 2.8%
--- #3,017 highest among all counties nationwide

#44. Solano County

- Median household income: $84,638
--- 7.6% above state average, 30.2% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 41.4%
--- #144 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.1%
--- #3,005 highest among all counties nationwide

#43. El Dorado County

- Median household income: $83,710
--- 6.4% above state average, 28.8% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 42.4%
--- #127 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.3%
--- #2,995 highest among all counties nationwide

#42. San Diego County

- Median household income: $82,426
--- 4.8% above state average, 26.8% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 41.4%
--- #146 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.3%
--- #2,975 highest among all counties nationwide

#41. Santa Barbara County

- Median household income: $78,925
--- 0.3% above state average, 21.4% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 39.3%
--- #183 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.0%
--- #2,933 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Fastest-growing counties in California

#40. San Luis Obispo County

- Median household income: $77,948
--- 0.9% below state average, 19.9% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 38.4%
--- #204 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,927 highest among all counties nationwide

#39. Monterey County

- Median household income: $76,943
--- 2.2% below state average, 18.4% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 36.5%
--- #247 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 5.6%
--- #2,915 highest among all counties nationwide

#38. Yolo County

- Median household income: $73,746
--- 6.3% below state average, 13.5% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 37.6%
--- #223 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #2,862 highest among all counties nationwide

#37. Los Angeles County

- Median household income: $71,358
--- 9.3% below state average, 9.8% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 35.6%
--- #266 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.1%
--- #2,799 highest among all counties nationwide

#36. Riverside County

- Median household income: $70,732
--- 10.1% below state average, 8.8% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 34.5%
--- #294 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.8%
--- #2,787 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Cities in California with the most living in poverty

#35. Sacramento County

- Median household income: $70,684
--- 10.2% below state average, 8.8% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 34.2%
--- #306 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,785 highest among all counties nationwide

#34. San Joaquin County

- Median household income: $68,628
--- 12.8% below state average, 5.6% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 33.1%
--- #346 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #2,720 highest among all counties nationwide

#33. Nevada County

- Median household income: $68,333
--- 13.1% below state average, 5.1% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 33.4%
--- #340 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,713 highest among all counties nationwide

#32. Calaveras County

- Median household income: $67,054
--- 14.8% below state average, 3.2% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 29.7%
--- #505 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.7%
--- #2,655 highest among all counties nationwide

#31. San Bernardino County

- Median household income: $65,761
--- 16.4% below state average, 1.2% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 30.2%
--- #473 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.9%
--- #2,610 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Fastest growing cities in California

#30. Amador County

- Median household income: $65,187
--- 17.1% below state average, 0.3% above national average
- Households earning over $100k: 28.4%
--- #587 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.9%
--- #2,575 highest among all counties nationwide

#29. Mono County

- Median household income: $64,924
--- 17.5% below state average, 0.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.6%
--- #1,051 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 5.6%
--- #2,560 highest among all counties nationwide

#28. Sutter County

- Median household income: $63,502
--- 19.3% below state average, 2.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 29.0%
--- #547 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,478 highest among all counties nationwide

#27. Stanislaus County

- Median household income: $62,873
--- 20.1% below state average, 3.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 28.4%
--- #584 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.9%
--- #2,447 highest among all counties nationwide

#26. Madera County

- Median household income: $61,924
--- 21.3% below state average, 4.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 26.1%
--- #767 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.3%
--- #2,392 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with the most renters in California

#25. Kings County

- Median household income: $61,556
--- 21.8% below state average, 5.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 24.9%
--- #897 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,359 highest among all counties nationwide

#24. Tuolumne County

- Median household income: $60,509
--- 23.1% below state average, 6.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 28.7%
--- #564 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #2,291 highest among all counties nationwide

#23. Colusa County

- Median household income: $59,427
--- 24.5% below state average, 8.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.7%
--- #1,030 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.5%
--- #2,194 highest among all counties nationwide

#22. Yuba County

- Median household income: $59,424
--- 24.5% below state average, 8.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 26.7%
--- #717 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.5%
--- #2,193 highest among all counties nationwide

#21. Inyo County

- Median household income: $59,296
--- 24.6% below state average, 8.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.4%
--- #1,072 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.9%
--- #2,184 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in California

#20. Plumas County

- Median household income: $57,233
--- 27.3% below state average, 11.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 26.5%
--- #733 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.8%
--- #2,012 highest among all counties nationwide

#19. Shasta County

- Median household income: $57,139
--- 27.4% below state average, 12.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 24.5%
--- #932 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.9%
--- #1,999 highest among all counties nationwide

#18. Fresno County

- Median household income: $57,109
--- 27.4% below state average, 12.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 26.2%
--- #763 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.1%
--- #1,993 highest among all counties nationwide

#17. Lassen County

- Median household income: $56,971
--- 27.6% below state average, 12.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 22.4%
--- #1,216 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #1,979 highest among all counties nationwide

#16. Merced County

- Median household income: $56,330
--- 28.4% below state average, 13.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.3%
--- #1,080 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.7%
--- #1,924 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to California

#15. Butte County

- Median household income: $54,972
--- 30.1% below state average, 15.4% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 25.9%
--- #781 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.9%
--- #1,798 highest among all counties nationwide

#14. Kern County

- Median household income: $54,851
--- 30.3% below state average, 15.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 24.2%
--- #968 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.3%
--- #1,782 highest among all counties nationwide

#13. Mendocino County

- Median household income: $52,915
--- 32.7% below state average, 18.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.6%
--- #1,039 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,582 highest among all counties nationwide

#12. Tulare County

- Median household income: $52,534
--- 33.2% below state average, 19.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 22.1%
--- #1,251 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.6%
--- #1,547 highest among all counties nationwide

#11. Sierra County

- Median household income: $52,103
--- 33.8% below state average, 19.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 22.4%
--- #1,225 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.5%
--- #1,485 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: See how much of its wind energy potential California uses

#10. Glenn County

- Median household income: $51,682
--- 34.3% below state average, 20.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.9%
--- #1,626 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.8%
--- #1,418 highest among all counties nationwide

#9. Modoc County

- Median household income: $51,250
--- 34.9% below state average, 21.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 14.3%
--- #2,606 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.9%
--- #1,357 highest among all counties nationwide

#8. Mariposa County

- Median household income: $50,960
--- 35.2% below state average, 21.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.2%
--- #1,933 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #1,312 highest among all counties nationwide

#7. Del Norte County

- Median household income: $49,981
--- 36.5% below state average, 23.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.9%
--- #1,281 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.2%
--- #1,203 highest among all counties nationwide

#6. Lake County

- Median household income: $49,254
--- 37.4% below state average, 24.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
--- #1,352 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.8%
--- #1,126 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Counties with the oldest homes in California

#5. Humboldt County

- Median household income: $49,235
--- 37.4% below state average, 24.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.7%
--- #1,324 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.3%
--- #1,123 highest among all counties nationwide

#4. Tehama County

- Median household income: $48,895
--- 37.8% below state average, 24.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.5%
--- #1,690 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.5%
--- #1,084 highest among all counties nationwide

#3. Siskiyou County

- Median household income: $47,403
--- 39.7% below state average, 27.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.3%
--- #1,902 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.5%
--- #948 highest among all counties nationwide

#2. Imperial County

- Median household income: $46,222
--- 41.2% below state average, 28.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.4%
--- #1,721 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.1%
--- #835 highest among all counties nationwide

#1. Trinity County

- Median household income: $41,780
--- 46.9% below state average, 35.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.1%
--- #2,482 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.1%
--- #469 highest among all counties nationwide

You may also like: Lowest-earning counties in California

Trending Now