These are the 10 poorest counties in California, according to new median income ranking

Ten California counties were recently named among the poorest in the state, according to financial website SmartAsset.

They calculated a Wealth Index for all counties based on their data sources including IRS SOI Tax Statistics, Zillow, and the U.S. Census’ 2021 American Community Survey.

California is ranked in the top five states with the highest median incomes, according to latest data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

California’s statewide median household income is $84,097, according to the data, but 12.3% of residents reported living in poverty.

The poorest counties in California

Here’s a list of the 10 poorest counties in California, according to SmartAsset, based on median household income from 2017-2021. The Bee cross referenced the data below with U.S. Census.

#1: Trinity County

• Median income: $42,206
• Residents in poverty: 19.1%

#2: Imperial County

• Median income: $49,078

• Residents in poverty: 17.3%

#3: Siskiyou County

• Median income: $49,857

• Residents in poverty: 16.8%

#4: Modoc County

• Median income: $51,090
• Residents in poverty: 19.9%

#5: Tehama County

• Median income: $52,901
• Residents in poverty: 15.6%

#6: Del Norte County

• Median income: $53,280
  
  
• Residents in poverty: 21.4%

#7: Mariposa County

• Median income: $53,304
• Residents in poverty: 14.1%

#8: Humboldt County

• Median income: $53,350
• Residents in poverty: 19.4%

#9: Lake County

• Median income: $53,399
• Residents in poverty: 16.5%

#10: Sierra County

• Median income: $56,152
• Residents in poverty: 12.3%

The richest counties in California

Here’s a list of the top five richest counties in California, according to SmartAsset:

1. Santa Clara County
2. San Mateo County
3. Marin County
4. San Francisco County
5. Alameda County

Learn how all of California’s counties ranked at SmartAsset’s website.

This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "These are the 10 poorest counties in California, according to new median income ranking."

Angela Rodriguez

The Sacramento Bee

916-321-1065

Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Sacramento Bee and The Modesto Bee. She graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.