Income and Poverty in the State of California

When compared to other States across the United States, the State of California can be understood to have a medium-high rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 14.2 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The Black or African American race/ethnicity population category, holds the highest rate of poverty with 22.4 percent of the 2000 residents living in poverty. People aged 5 years are witness to the most percent living in poverty in California, accounting 20.6 percent of this age cohort living in poverty.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of California range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $86,972 in Santa Clara County to a low of $32,201 in Modoc County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of California
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Santa Clara County ($86,972)
2. Marin County ($83,428 )
3. San Mateo County ($82,858)
4. Contra Costa County ($74,500)
5. Ventura County ($69,809)
6. Orange County ($68,819)
7. Placer County ($67,316)
8. San Benito County ($67,239)
9. Alameda County ($65,457)
10. San Francisco County ($64,609)


As the median income level saw a decline from 2000 to 2005 in the State of California, the Race/Ethnicity category that saw the sharpest decline in household income was the American Indian and Alaska Native Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced a decline of 29.5 percent from 2000 to 2005. The White Race/Ethnicity group has been least impacted by the median income decline in California, seeing a 39.7 percent increase in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

The rate of poverty in the State of California has declined by 0.9 percent from the rates reported in the Decennial Census, moving from 14.2 percent to 13.3 percent.

When compared to other States throughout the United States, the State of California was reported to have a relatively high median household income of $55,567 (2005 Dollars). This median is 11.6 percent higher than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

The American Indian and Alaska Native headed households in California reported an income level of $42,760, this was 23 percent less than the median income level in this area. In the State of California, White householders had a median income (2005 Dollars) of $59,996 as reported by the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 8 percent greater than the median in the year 2000. The Asian householders in the area have reported their median household incomes at $64,778. This median income level is 16.6 percent greater than the reported median for all households in the state. Hispanic in California, as reported in 2000, had a median household income of $42,742, this income level is 23.1 percent less than the median reported for all households in the area. Black or African American householders reported household income levels that were 26.4 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $40,899.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of California range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 23.9 percent in Tulare County to a low of 5.8 percent in Placer County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of California
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Tulare County (23.9 percent)
2. Fresno County (22.9 )
3. Imperial County (22.6 percent)
4. Merced County (21.7 percent)
5. Modoc County (21.5 percent)
6. Madera County (21.4 percent)
7. Yuba County (20.8 percent)
8. Kern County (20.8 percent)
9. Del Norte County (20.2 percent)
10. Butte County (19.8 percent)


The household income has declined from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $53,629, representing a 3.5 percent decline. The State of California ranks 37 of 46 states when analyzing the decline in household income across the nation.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.