Los Angeles County Well-being Report: Disparities Widen Despite Overall Gains

A modern report reveals a complex picture of well-being in Los Angeles County, showing an overall improvement in the Human Development Index (HDI) but a widening gap between the county’s most and least affluent communities. The report, released by Measure of America, a program of the Social Science Research Council, highlights persistent disparities in life expectancy, education, and earnings.

Overall Human Development Index Increase

Los Angeles County’s overall HDI score has risen to 5.64, up from 5.43 in the previous report released in 2017. The HDI combines life expectancy, educational attainment, and personal earnings into a single score between 0 and 10. Though, this progress falls short of the county’s 2017 goal to increase the HDI by a full point. Kristen Lewis, director of Measure of America, attributes the slow progress to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, as well as increases in drug overdoses and cardiovascular disease.

Life Expectancy Varies Significantly by Location

Life expectancy countywide averages 80.5 years, a decrease of 1.6 years since the 2017 report. However, this average masks significant variations across neighborhoods. The gap between the longest-living and shortest-living communities exceeds 16 years. Residents of Westwood have an average life expectancy of 88.1 years, while those in Sun Village in the Antelope Valley average 71.8 years. Lewis noted the lack of basic amenities like grocery stores and sidewalks in Sun Village, hindering healthy lifestyle choices.

Five Tiers of Well-being in L.A. County

The report categorizes L.A. County neighborhoods into five tiers based on their HDI scores:

• “Glittering LA” (HDI above 9.00): Represents 2% of the county’s population (194,500 people) and includes eight communities like Brentwood-Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. Average life expectancy is 86.8 years, with median earnings of $99,200.
• “Elite Enclave LA” (HDI 7.00 – 8.99): Comprises 15% of the county (1,461,700 people) and includes 32 communities along the coast, in the Santa Monica Mountains, and the San Gabriel Valley foothills. Average life expectancy is 84.1 years, with median earnings of $70,400.
• “Main Street LA” (HDI 5.00 – 6.99): The most populous tier, representing 44% of the county (4,216,200 people), includes suburban areas of the southern and eastern county, as well as the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. Average life expectancy is 81.7 years, with median earnings of $47,000.
• “Struggling LA” (HDI 3.00 – 4.99): The second-most populous tier, representing 39% of the county (3,823,700 people), has the largest share of foreign-born residents (36.3%). Average life expectancy is 78.9 years, with median earnings of $35,200.
• “Precarious LA” (HDI below 3.00): This category is currently empty. In 2017, six communities fell into this tier, but all have since risen above a score of 3.0.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Life Expectancy

Significant disparities in life expectancy exist among racial and ethnic groups. Latinos experienced the steepest decline, falling 3.7 years to 80.7 years, largely attributed to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 due to their concentration in frontline jobs and overcrowded housing. Asian Angelenos have the longest life expectancy at 86.2 years. Black Angelenos live to 72.9 years on average, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders to just 71.2. The report also highlights that Black mothers are nearly four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white or Asian women.

Affordability Crisis

While median personal earnings have increased countywide, they haven’t kept pace with rising housing costs. Residents earning the local median salary in every L.A. County neighborhood would need to function more than 40 hours a week to afford median housing costs. In 31 neighborhoods, that figure exceeds 80 hours per week.

Looking Ahead

Researchers hope the report will inform policy and investment decisions. Following the 2017 report, the city of Los Angeles relocated workforce development sites based on neighborhood HDI scores, and the county Department of Mental Health used the findings for needs assessment. Kalene Gilbert, a coordinator at the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, emphasized the report’s value in identifying areas of greatest need and guiding the placement of community school programs. The report’s interactive portal, offering detailed data for each neighborhood, is available on Measure of America’s website.