Source: US Census, American Community Survey 2009

Projections from the State of California’s Employment Development Department show that the Professional and Business Services industries will grow more than any other industries in the county between 2006 and 2016, with approximately 6,600 new jobs over ten years. This sector includes administrative and support services, management of companies and enterprises, and scientific/technical services. Total employment is expected to increase 13.2 percent during this time. In addition, the county remains an attractive option for small and medium sized businesses and corporations looking for new or expansion sites.

The median household income for Sonoma County residents has consistently been higher than the averages for California or the United States over the past 10 years.

The number of Sonoma County residents living below the poverty line was lower than both state and national averages. The U.S. Census reports that 10.9 percent of all families in Sonoma County lived below poverty line in 2008.

Source: US Census, American Community Survey 2009

Recent data provided by the US Census reveals that the percent of Sonoma County residents who live below the poverty line increased in 2008, following the general statewide trend, but fell 1.6 percent in 2009. Official poverty calculations assume that a family earning a given income is equally well-off anywhere in the country; however, due to the above-average costs of living in Sonoma County, the Public Policy Institute of California estimates the adjusted poverty rate for Sonoma County is significantly higher.

Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis

The per capita income in Sonoma County was $47,755 in 2008.This was 9 percent higher than the California average of $43,852, and 19 percent higher than the national per capita income of $40,166. Sonoma County’s per capita income is the 12th highest of California’s 58 counties.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

While unemployment rates for Sonoma County have increased over the past few years, County unemployment rates have stayed below average unemployment rates for the state. Between 2008 and 2009, unemployment levels in Sonoma County increased, as 13,300 jobs were lost, representing a 5.4 percent decrease in employment. Statewide unemployment increased 4.6 percent, representing a total of 774,000 jobs. Despite job losses, Sonoma County boosted its total number of firms by 4.6 percent in 2008.