In Los Angeles County, California, rent on a two-bedroom takes about two in five dollars of the typical household's income
In Los Angeles County, 39.2% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 99% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 67% of U.S. counties.
What drives Los Angeles County's score
In Los Angeles County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 98.0. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 39.2% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 99% of U.S. counties. Jobs come next, at 72.8.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Los Angeles County does better than most counties on two measures: people with a disability (11.3%, 2020 to 2024) and median household income ($90,757, 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Los Angeles County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 98.0 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income39.2% · fiscal year 202799th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent29.4% · 2020 to 202496th percentile
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- 72.8 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working22.3% · 2020 to 202459th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average5.3% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202685th percentile
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- 50.6 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind5.2% · August 202550th percentile
- People with a credit card behind5.6% · August 202552nd percentile
- People with a subprime credit score23.2% · Q4 202548th percentile
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- 46.9 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector18.6% · August 202533rd percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people151.9 · 202560th percentile
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- 34.2 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line16.5% · 202446th percentile
- People with a disability11.3% · 2020 to 20249th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$90,757 · 202410th percentile
- People below the poverty line13.3% · 202450th percentile
- People without health insurance8.2% · 2020 to 202453rd percentile
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Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Los Angeles County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Los Angeles County
California
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Los Angeles County in 2024, pay from work was 59 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 20 cents. Benefit checks were 20 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 8 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Los Angeles County, benefit checks rose from 8 to 20 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Los Angeles County, California: 20.4% and 59.3% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 20.4% of all personal income in Los Angeles County, California (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Los Angeles County, 15.2% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Los Angeles County has changed
The number of people living in Los Angeles County grew by about 40% between 1969 and 2024, from 6,989,910 to 9,757,179. The number of jobs located there stayed about the same from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 5.9% in 1990 to 5.7% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 6,989,910 | 2024 9,757,179 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 4,288,861 | 2024 4,525,711 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 5.9% | 2025 5.7% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 16.7% | 2024 13.3% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $31,123 | 2024 $90,757 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 8.4% | 2024 20.4% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Los Angeles County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 10,014,009, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1983
Tornado: $25 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
1987
Tornado: $25 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
1998
Flash flood: three deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
2002
Wildfire: $15.3 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1969
31 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Los Angeles County, 17 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Los Angeles County beside its neighbors
Of the four counties that border Los Angeles County, two score higher. For the share of income from benefit checks, Los Angeles County ranks 3rd of the five; Kern County is highest, at 24.0%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County, CA | 89 | 18.6% | 24.0% |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 83 | 12.6% | 23.6% |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 67 | 13.3% | 20.4% |
| Ventura County, CA | 42 | 9.5% | 16.2% |
| Orange County, CA | 37 | 9.7% | 12.5% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Los Angeles County the poorest county in California?
No, Los Angeles County's poverty rate was 13.3% in 2024, 29th highest of 58 in California (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Trinity County, at 23.0%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Los Angeles County ranks 21st of 58 in the state.
Los Angeles County, California: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Los Angeles County, California?
13.3% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in eight people. Among children it was 16.5%.
Is Los Angeles County the poorest county in California?
No, Los Angeles County's poverty rate was 13.3% in 2024, 29th highest of 58 in California (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Trinity County, at 23.0%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Los Angeles County ranks 21st of 58 in the state.
What is the population of Los Angeles County, California?
About 9,757,179 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 10,014,009, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Los Angeles County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
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East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Fair Housing Foundation
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Faith and Community Empowerment Formerly Korean Churches for Community Development
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
Legal aid
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Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA)
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,313 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Los Angeles County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Los Angeles County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.