Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
California Value:
Per capita income in the past 12 months, in inflation-adjusted dollars to data year
California Rank:
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Appears In:
Per capita income in the past 12 months, in inflation-adjusted dollars to data year
US Value: $41,804
Top State(s): Massachusetts: $54,025
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: $29,045
Definition: Per capita income in the past 12 months, in inflation-adjusted dollars to data year
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Per capita income is the total income of a population divided by the number of people in that population. This measure is often used to show the relative wealth of a state or nation. Individuals with low household incomes have lower life expectancy and higher rates of disease than people in higher-income households.
Additionally, poverty can cause chronic stress, which is associated with a multitude of health issues, including depression, digestive issues, high blood pressure and sleep problems.
Populations with higher household incomes include:
Reducing the unemployment rate and increasing wages for workers are strategies that may increase median household income. Creating awareness for government support initiatives such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help those with lower incomes access healthy food and save money.
Healthy People 2030 has an objective to reduce the proportion of people living in poverty.
Guzman, Gloria, and Melissa Kollar. “Income in the United States: 2022.” Current Population Reports P60-279. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau, September 2023. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-279.pdf.
Khullar, Dhruv, and Dave A. Chokshi. “Health, Income, & Poverty: Where We Are & What Could Help.” Health Affairs Health Policy Brief. Bethesda, MD: Project HOPE, October 4, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1377/hpb20180817.901935.
Mishel, Lawrence, and Ross Eisenbrey. “How to Raise Wages: Policies That Work and Policies That Don’t.” Briefing Paper #391. Washington, D.C.: Economic Policy Institute, March 19, 2015. https://www.epi.org/publication/how-to-raise-wages-policies-that-work-and-policies-that-dont/.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.