Our state has a diverse and dynamic economy. Yet, a large share of Californians live in poverty, wages for the typical worker have been stagnant over the past generation, and the gap between the wealthiest and the less well-off is widening. Through our analyses of employment, incomes, and overall economic security, the Budget Center seeks to shed light on state and regional trends while highlighting potential policy approaches for helping low- and middle-income Californians to advance.
Work, Income & Poverty
Featured
Report
The Racial Wealth Gap: What California Can Do About a Long-Standing Obstacle to Shared Prosperity
This report discusses the racial wealth gap by exploring underlying historical context and some key factors that drive the wealth gap. This report also lays out a set of policy options that could help California and the nation ensure that all families have the opportunity to build wealth.
Report
New Census Figures Show That California Has 7.5 Million Residents Living in Poverty — More Than Any Other State
This report looks at the latest US Census poverty figures, showing that with 7.5 million state residents struggling to get by, Califonia has by far the largest number of individuals in poverty of any state, based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM).
Blog
The Trump Administration’s Trade War With China Is Likely to Affect Businesses in All California Congressional Districts
After months of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China, the trade war between the two countries shows no sign of ending any time soon. This blog post highlights how the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration together with retaliatory tariffs imposed by China in response can be expected to negatively impact jobs, business profits, and state and local tax revenues.