Six figure income in Southern Calif. (Irvine, Newport Beach: credit, student loans, attorneys)

[k374]

How common is it in *your* opinion based on friends, family and others you know. I am talking about INDIVIDUAL income not household. Just want to get public opinion on percieved wealth in Southern California, I know a lot of the flash we see is credit.

[missionhome]

I would say a little over half of our friends individually have someone pulling in a six figure income and the rest usually together pull in at least a six figure together.

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by missionhome

I would say a little over half of our friends individually have someone pulling in a six figure income and the rest usually together pull in at least a six figure together.

Living in Irvine we found that to be about the same ratio.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by k374

How common is it in *your* opinion based on friends, family and others you know. I am talking about INDIVIDUAL income not household. Just want to get public opinion on percieved wealth in Southern California, I know a lot of the flash we see is credit.

I think, but am not sure, this kind of information can be found from the Census web pages.

Here is a link to Tiger Maps which graphically map demographic and economic Census data. You have to putz around with it a little. Also, I think the data are kind of old.

Tiger Map Server Browser

[mgs333]

in my opinion, i think the split is more like 25% six figure earners in orange county. isn't there data even here on city-data that'll show the income distribution for cities? I think I remember even Irvine had only that many people earning 6 figures by themselves...

[mgs333]

ok, i checked and they don't break it down by range but in 2005 the median HOUSEHOLD income in Irv was ~$83k, meaning half the households make that much or less, so i'd be hard pressed to think half the people in OC make six figures.

having seen that data, in fact, i'd think it's more like 15-20%.

[JakeDog]

It is all over the map- remember the older people that bought when it was cheap bring down the amounts and the very rich increase the average. Keep this in mind though- a first year (25 year old) attorney makes $160K nowadays. Investment advisors often make even more.

[k374]

Originally Posted by JakeDog

It is all over the map- remember the older people that bought when it was cheap bring down the amounts and the very rich increase the average. Keep this in mind though- a first year (25 year old) attorney makes $160K nowadays. Investment advisors often make even more.

Yes but what percentage of the population are attorneys? Do you know what the tuition is for law school??? And not all attorneys make that much, only a subsection in certain areas of law.

[JakeDog]

Originally Posted by k374

Yes but what percentage of the population are attorneys? Do you know what the tuition is for law school??? And not all attorneys make that much, only a subsection in certain areas of law.

Honestly, the law is hardly the high end compared to investment bankers. I'm very familiar with the tuition of law school- it's called student loans (not that I would wish a law career on anyone). Just pointing out that a lot of professionals can make a lot of money at a very young age. Irvine/Newport Beach have a lot of high paying white collar jobs. Combine that with the inherited wealth, the self made types, the double income government workers, etc. and you have a very affluent communityl.

[mgs333]

no one is saying there aren't a lot of rich people in OC, i just don't think 50% of all working adults are making 6 figures.