Measuring income along L.A.’s Metro stations

This year has seen the extension of two Metro lines to

affluent communities. The income level around Metro

stations can go from twice the amount of Los Angeles

County’s median income to well below in a matter of a few

stops. We decided to look at median household income

levels along all the lines to get a clearer picture of who’s

being served. While not a perfect measure, looking at

income levels along the Los Angeles Metro stations offers a

look at how income is distributed.

Blue Line

The Blue Line is Los Angeles’ oldest and second busiest

Metro rail service serving some of Los Angeles County’s

poorest residents. Only two stations are in areas where

median incomes are above the county’s level. Little

neighborhood development has occurred along the Blue

Line stations compared with other lines due to a mix of

economic and zoning factors, according to Genevieve

Giuliano of USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Highest

Wardlow

Union Station

$75,085

Lowest

Grand

$25,820

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

$29,597

Pico

$25,820

Grand

$26,662

San Pedro

$39,617

Washington

South L.A.

$30,159

Vernon

$32,329

Slauson

$34,306

Florence

Firestone

$34,000

103rd St./

$27,462

Watts Towers

Willowbrook/

$34,571

Rosa Parks

$41,308

Compton

$47,380

Artesia

$48,613

Del Amo

$75,085

Wardlow

Long Beach

$57,914

Willow

PCH

$31,898

Anaheim

$30,884

$36,946

5th St.

$40,272

1st St.

Downtown

Long Beach

$43,164

$35,812

Pacific

Crenshaw Line

The $2.06 billion Crenshaw/LAX transit project

is planned to open in 2019 and will serve

neighborhoods in South L.A. and South Bay with

mostly black and Latino residents.

Highest

Westchester/Veterans

Union Station

$53,682

Lowest

Fairview Heights

$33,752

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

$36,813

Expo/Crenshaw

South L.A.

$45,927

MLK

$43,300

Leimert Park

$42,028

Hyde Park

Fairview Heights

$33,752

South

Bay

Downtown

$38,151

Inglewood

Westchester/

$53,682

Veterans

Aviation/Century

$42,660

Expo Line

Construction of the Expo Line extension was completed

in 2015 and is expected to open in early 2016. Stations

along the extension reside in more affluent and

predominantly white areas.

Highest

Westwood/Rancho Park

Union Station

$85,662

Lowest

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

23rd St.

$22,015

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

South

L.A.

$23,261

Expo Park/USC

Expo/Vermont

$23,800

Expo/Western

$36,427

Expo/Crenshaw

$38,813

Farmdale

$29,129

Expo/La Brea

$34,043

La Cienega/

$59,123

Jefferson

Culver City

$62,074

West L.A.

Palms

$64,522

Westwood/

Rancho Park

$85,662

Expo/Sepulveda

$72,604

Expo/Bundy

$67,262

26th St./Bergamot

$66,354

17th St./Santa

$65,728

Monica College

Downtown

Santa Monica

$61,121

Gold Line

Stations in Pasadena and elsewhere in the San Gabriel

Valley are mostly above the county median income

level. Levels sharply decrease when entering downtown

Los Angeles. The Gold Line extension to Azusa finished

construction in 2015 and is scheduled to open March 5.

Highest

Fillmore

Union Station

$84,085

Lowest

Little Tokyo/Arts District

$21,872

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Citrus College

APU/

$54,863

San Gabriel

Valley

$55,677

Azusa Downtown

$65,247

Irwindale

Duarte/

City of Hope

$54,179

$68,424

Monrovia

$75,169

Arcadia

Pasadena

$83,575

Sierra Madre Villa

Allen

$66,389

$59,603

Lake

$61,880

Memorial Park

Del Mar

$79,949

$84,085

Fillmore

$80,459

South Pasadena

Highland Park

DTLA

$44,288

Southwest Museum

$42,589

$40,216

Heritage Square

Lincoln/Cypress

$40,839

Chinatown

$23,137

Union Station

$24,278

Little Tokyo/

Arts District

$21,872

$35,272

Pico/Aliso

Mariachi Plaza

$27,701

East L.A.

Soto

$29,167

Indiana

$38,122

Maravilla

$36,638

Civic Center

East L.A.

$35,460

Atlantic

$44,699

Green Line

The Douglas station had the highest median income

among the Metro rail stations. The Green Line was built

along the 105 Freeway as a result of a legal settlement

with Caltrans. The line is the only rail line to not service

downtown Los Angeles.

Highest

Douglas

$126,005

Union Station

Lowest

Willowbrook

$31,338

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$82,425

Redondo Beach

South Bay

$126,005

Douglas

El Segundo

$119,423

Mariposa

$71,442

Aviation/LAX

$51,752

Hawthorne/Lennox

$36,531

Crenshaw

$52,543

Vermont/Athens

$32,102

South

L.A.

Harbor Freeway

$33,469

Avalon

$40,110

Willowbrook

$31,338

Long Beach Blvd.

$39,143

Southeast

L.A.

Lakewood Blvd.

$58,565

Norwalk

$60,017

Purple Line

Phase one of three of the construction has begun and

is expected to open in 2024, allowing riders to

commute to Wilshire and La Cienega. The entire

extension line project is estimated to cost $7.2 billion.

Highest

Century City

$107,432

Union Station

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$24,278

Union Station

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire/Vermont

Wilshire/Normandie

$33,542

$33,965

Wilshire/Western

$74,326

Wilshire/La Brea

Wilshire/Fairfax

$71,754

La Cienega

Wilshire/

$73,013

$99,326

Wilshire/Rodeo

West L.A.

$107,432

Century City

Westwood/UCLA

$65,409

VA Hospital

$79,170

Red Line

Universal City was the only station above the county

median income level. The Red Line was one of the

most controversial subway lines, according to

Genevieve Giuliano at USC’s Sol Price School of Public

Policy. The rail line plan was originally supposed to run

from downtown to Fairfax via Wilshire Boulevard but

faced so much opposition that the route was altered to

go through Vermont Avenue up to San Fernando Valley.

Highest

Universal City

Union Station

$83,622

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

$33,689

Civic Center

Pershing Square

$23,791

$29,774

7th St. /Metro Center

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire /Vermont

$34,449

Vermont/Beverly

Santa Monica

Vermont/

$34,711

$42,537

Vermont/Sunset

$31,779

Hollywood/Western

$34,807

Hollywood/Vine

Hollywood/

$46,075

Highland

$83,622

Universal City

San

Fernando

Valley

North Hollywood

$45,947

Regional Connector

The $1.43 billion rail project plans to allow commuters

to connect to multiple stations and allow direct travel

between Azusa and Long Beach and East L.A. and

Santa Monica. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

Highest

2nd St./Hope

Union Station

$35,137

Lowest

1st/Central Ave.

$20,870

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

DTLA

$24,947

2nd St./Broadway

$20,870

1st/Central Ave.

Methodology

Median household income estimates for each station were

calculated by taking the aggregate number of people

who fell in each income bracket for all U.S. Census

tracts within a half-mile radius of a station. The 2014

five-year median income estimates from the Census

were used. Some tracts were counted for two stations

due to their proximity to both.

This year has seen the extension of two Metro lines to affluent communities.

The income level around Metro stations can go from twice the amount of Los

Angeles County’s median income to well below in a matter of a few stops. We

decided to look at median household income levels along all the lines to get a

clearer picture of who’s being served. While not a perfect measure, looking at

income levels along the Los Angeles Metro stations offers a look at how

income is distributed.

Blue Line

The Blue Line is Los Angeles’ oldest and second busiest Metro rail service

serving some of Los Angeles County’s poorest residents. Only two stations are

in areas where median incomes are above the county’s level. Little

neighborhood development has occurred along the Blue Line stations

compared with other lines due to a mix of economic and zoning factors,

according to a recent report by Genevieve Giuliano of USC’s Sol Price School

of Public Policy.

Highest

Union Station

Wardlow

$75,085

Lowest

Grand

$25,820

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

$29,597

Pico

$25,820

Grand

$26,662

San Pedro

$39,617

Washington

South L.A.

$30,159

Vernon

$32,329

Slauson

$34,306

Florence

Firestone

$34,000

103rd St./

$27,462

Watts Towers

Willowbrook/

$34,571

Rosa Parks

$41,308

Compton

$47,380

Artesia

$48,613

Del Amo

$75,085

Wardlow

Long Beach

$57,914

Willow

PCH

$31,898

Anaheim

$30,884

$36,946

5th St.

$40,272

1st St.

Downtown

Long Beach

$43,164

$35,812

Pacific

Crenshaw Line

The $2.06 billion Crenshaw/LAX transit project is planned to open in 2019

and will serve neighborhoods in South L.A. and South Bay with mostly black

and Latino residents.

Highest

Westchester/Veterans

Union Station

$53,682

Lowest

Fairview Heights

$33,752

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$36,813

Expo/Crenshaw

South L.A.

$45,927

MLK

$43,300

Leimert Park

$42,028

Hyde Park

Fairview Heights

$33,752

South

Bay

Downtown

$38,151

Inglewood

Westchester/

$53,682

Veterans

Aviation/Century

$42,660

Expo Line

Construction of the Expo Line extension was completed in 2015 and is

expected to open in early 2016. Stations along the extension reside in more

affluent and predominantly white areas.

Highest

Union Station

Westwood/Rancho Park

$85,662

Lowest

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

23rd St.

$22,015

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

South

L.A.

$23,261

Expo Park/USC

Expo/Vermont

$23,800

Expo/Western

$36,427

Expo/Crenshaw

$38,813

Farmdale

$29,129

Expo/La Brea

$34,043

La Cienega/

$59,123

Jefferson

Culver City

$62,074

West L.A.

Palms

$64,522

Westwood/

Rancho Park

$85,662

Expo/Sepulveda

$72,604

Expo/Bundy

$67,262

26th St./Bergamot

$66,354

17th St./Santa

$65,728

Monica College

Downtown

Santa Monica

$61,121

Gold Line

Stations in Pasadena and elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley are mostly

above the county median income level. Levels sharply decrease when

entering downtown Los Angeles. The Gold Line extension to Azusa finished

construction in 2015 and is scheduled to open March 5.

Highest

Fillmore

Union Station

$84,085

Lowest

Little Tokyo/Arts District

$21,872

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

APU/

Citrus College

$54,863

San Gabriel Valley

$55,677

Azusa Downtown

$65,247

Irwindale

Duarte/

City of Hope

$54,179

$68,424

Monrovia

$75,169

Arcadia

Pasadena

$83,575

Sierra Madre Villa

Allen

$66,389

Lake

$59,603

$61,880

Memorial Park

Del Mar

$79,949

$84,085

Fillmore

$80,459

South Pasadena

Highland Park

DTLA

$44,288

Southwest Museum

$42,589

$40,216

Heritage Square

Lincoln/Cypress

$40,839

Chinatown

$23,137

Union Station

$24,278

Little Tokyo/

Arts District

$21,872

Pico/Aliso

$35,272

Mariachi Plaza

$27,701

East

L.A.

Soto

$29,167

Indiana

$38,122

Maravilla

$36,638

Civic Center

East L.A.

$35,460

Atlantic

$44,699

Green Line

The Douglas station had the highest median income among the Metro rail

stations. The Green Line was built along the 105 Freeway as a result of a

legal settlement with Caltrans. The line is the only rail line to not service

downtown Los Angeles.

Highest

Douglas

Union Station

$126,005

Lowest

Willowbrook

$31,338

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$82,425

Redondo Beach

South Bay

$126,005

Douglas

El Segundo

$119,423

Mariposa

$71,442

Aviation/LAX

$51,752

Hawthorne/Lennox

$36,531

Crenshaw

$52,543

Vermont/Athens

$32,102

South

L.A.

Harbor Freeway

$33,469

Avalon

$40,110

Willowbrook

$31,338

Long Beach Blvd.

$39,143

S.E.

L.A.

Lakewood Blvd.

$58,565

Norwalk

$60,017

Purple Line

Phase one of three of the construction has begun and is expected to open in

2024, allowing riders to commute to Wilshire and La Cienega. The entire

extension line project is estimated to cost $7.2 billion.

Highest

Century City

Union Station

$107,432

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$24,278

Union Station

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire/Vermont

Wilshire/Normandie

$33,542

$33,965

Wilshire/Western

$74,326

Wilshire/La Brea

Wilshire/Fairfax

$71,754

La Cienega

Wilshire/

$73,013

West L.A.

$99,326

Wilshire/Rodeo

$107,432

Century City

Westwood/UCLA

$65,409

VA Hospital

$79,170

Red Line

Universal City was the only station above the county median income level.

The Red Line was one of the most controversial subway lines, according to

Genevieve Giuliano at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. The rail line

plan was originally supposed to run from downtown to Fairfax via Wilshire

Boulevard but faced so much opposition that the route was altered to go

through Vermont Avenue up to San Fernando Valley.

Highest

Union Station

Universal City

$83,622

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St. /Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire /Vermont

$34,449

Vermont/Beverly

Santa Monica

Vermont/

$34,711

$42,537

Vermont/Sunset

$31,779

Hollywood/Western

$34,807

Hollywood/Vine

Hollywood/

$46,075

Highland

$83,622

Universal City

San

Fernando

Valley

North Hollywood

$45,947

Regional Connector

The $1.43 billion rail project plans to allow commuters to connect to

multiple stations and allow direct travel between Azusa and Long Beach and

East L.A. and Santa Monica. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

Highest

Union Station

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

Lowest

1st/Central Ave.

$20,870

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

DTLA

$24,947

2nd St./Broadway

$20,870

1st/Central Ave.

Methodology

Median household income estimates for each station were calculated by taking

the aggregate number of people who fell in each income bracket for all U.S.

Census tracts within a half-mile radius of a station. The 2014 five-year median

income estimates from the Census were used. Some tracts were counted for

two stations due to their proximity to both.

This year has seen the extension of two Metro lines to affluent communities. The income

level around Metro stations can go from twice the amount of Los Angeles County’s median

income to well below in a matter of a few stops. We decided to look at median household

income levels along all the lines to get a clearer picture of who’s being served. While not a

perfect measure, looking at income levels along the Los Angeles Metro stations offers a look

at how income is distributed.

Blue Line

The Blue Line is Los Angeles’ oldest and second busiest Metro rail service serving

some of Los Angeles County’s poorest residents. Only two stations are in areas where

median incomes are above the county’s level. Little neighborhood development has

occurred along the Blue Line stations compared with other lines due to a mix of

economic and zoning factors, according to a recent report by Genevieve Giuliano

of USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Highest

Union Station

Wardlow

$75,085

Lowest

Grand

$25,820

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

$29,597

Pico

$25,820

Grand

$26,662

San Pedro

$39,617

Washington

South L.A.

$30,159

Vernon

$32,329

Slauson

$34,306

Florence

Firestone

$34,000

103rd St./

$27,462

Watts Towers

Willowbrook/

$34,571

Rosa Parks

$41,308

Compton

$47,380

Artesia

$48,613

Del Amo

$75,085

Wardlow

Long Beach

$57,914

Willow

PCH

$31,898

Anaheim

$30,884

$36,946

5th St.

$40,272

1st St.

Downtown

Long Beach

$43,164

$35,812

Pacific

Crenshaw Line

The $2.06 billion Crenshaw/LAX transit project is planned to open in 2019 and will

serve neighborhoods in South L.A. and South Bay with mostly black and Latino

residents.

Highest

Westchester/Veterans

Union Station

$53,682

Lowest

Fairview Heights

$33,752

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$36,813

Expo/Crenshaw

South L.A.

$45,927

MLK

$43,300

Leimert Park

$42,028

Hyde Park

Fairview Heights

$33,752

South

Bay

Downtown Inglewood

$38,151

Westchester/

$53,682

Veterans

Aviation/Century

$42,660

Expo Line

Construction of the Expo Line extension was completed in 2015 and is expected to

open in early 2016. Stations along the extension reside in more affluent and

predominantly white areas.

Highest

Westwood/Rancho Park

Union Station

$85,662

Lowest

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

23rd St.

$22,015

$19,642

Jefferson/USC

South

L.A.

Expo Park/USC

$23,261

Expo/Vermont

$23,800

Expo/Western

$36,427

Expo/Crenshaw

$38,813

Farmdale

$29,129

Expo/La Brea

$34,043

La Cienega/

$59,123

Jefferson

Culver City

$62,074

West L.A.

Palms

$64,522

Westwood/

Rancho Park

$85,662

Expo/Sepulveda

$72,604

Expo/Bundy

$67,262

26th St./Bergamot

$66,354

17th St./Santa

$65,728

Monica College

Downtown

Santa Monica

$61,121

Gold Line

Stations in Pasadena and elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley are mostly above the

county median income level. Levels sharply decrease when entering downtown Los

Angeles. The Gold Line extension to Azusa finished construction in 2015 and is

scheduled to open March 5.

Highest

Fillmore

Union Station

$84,085

Lowest

Little Tokyo/Arts District

$21,872

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

APU/

Citrus College

$54,863

San Gabriel Valley

$55,677

Azusa Downtown

$65,247

Irwindale

Duarte/

City of Hope

$54,179

$68,424

Monrovia

$75,169

Arcadia

Pasadena

$83,575

Sierra Madre Villa

Allen

$66,389

Lake

$59,603

$61,880

Memorial Park

Del Mar

$79,949

$84,085

Fillmore

$80,459

South Pasadena

Highland Park

$44,288

DTLA

Southwest Museum

$42,589

$40,216

Heritage Square

Lincoln/Cypress

$40,839

Chinatown

$23,137

$24,278

Union Station

Little Tokyo/

Arts District

$21,872

Pico/Aliso

$35,272

Mariachi Plaza

$27,701

East

L.A.

Soto

$29,167

Indiana

$38,122

Maravilla

$36,638

Civic Center

East L.A.

$35,460

Atlantic

$44,699

Green Line

The Douglas station had the highest median income among the Metro rail stations.

The Green Line was built along the 105 Freeway as a result of a legal settlement with

Caltrans. The line is the only rail line to not service downtown Los Angeles.

Highest

Douglas

Union Station

$126,005

Lowest

Willowbrook

$31,338

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

$82,425

Redondo Beach

South Bay

$126,005

Douglas

El Segundo

$119,423

Mariposa

$71,442

Aviation/LAX

$51,752

Hawthorne/Lennox

$36,531

Crenshaw

$52,543

Vermont/Athens

$32,102

South

L.A.

Harbor Freeway

$33,469

Avalon

$40,110

Willowbrook

$31,338

Long Beach Blvd.

$39,143

S.E.

L.A.

Lakewood Blvd.

$58,565

Norwalk

$60,017

Purple Line

Phase one of three of the construction has begun and is expected to open in 2024,

allowing riders to commute to Wilshire and La Cienega. The entire extension line

project is estimated to cost $7.2 billion.

Highest

Century City

Union Station

$107,432

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire/Vermont

Wilshire/Normandie

$33,542

$33,965

Wilshire/Western

$74,326

Wilshire/La Brea

Wilshire/Fairfax

$71,754

La Cienega

Wilshire/

$73,013

$99,326

Wilshire/Rodeo

West L.A.

$107,432

Century City

Westwood/UCLA

$65,409

VA Hospital

$79,170

Red Line

Universal City was the only station above the county median income level. The Red

Line was one of the most controversial subway lines, according to Genevieve Giuliano

at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. The rail line plan was originally supposed

to run from downtown to Fairfax via Wilshire Boulevard but faced so much opposition

that the route was altered to go through Vermont Avenue up to San Fernando Valley.

Highest

Union Station

Universal City

$83,622

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St. /Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire /Vermont

$34,449

Vermont/Beverly

Santa Monica

Vermont/

$34,711

$42,537

Vermont/Sunset

$31,779

Hollywood/Western

$34,807

Hollywood/Vine

Hollywood/

$46,075

Highland

$83,622

Universal City

San

Fernando

Valley

North Hollywood

$45,947

Regional Connector

The $1.43 billion rail project plans to allow commuters to connect to multiple stations

and allow direct travel between Azusa and Long Beach and East L.A. and Santa

Monica. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

Highest

Union Station

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

Lowest

1st/Central Ave.

$20,870

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

DTLA

$24,947

2nd St./Broadway

$20,870

1st/Central Ave.

Methodology

Median household income estimates for each station were calculated by taking the aggregate

number of people who fell in each income bracket for all U.S. Census tracts within a

half-mile radius of a station. The 2014 five-year median income estimates from the

Census were used. Some tracts were counted for two stations due to their proximity to

both.

This year has seen the extension of two Metro lines to affluent communities. The

income level around Metro stations can go from twice the amount of Los Angeles

County’s median income to well below in a matter of a few stops. We decided to look

at median household income levels along all the lines to get a clearer picture of who’s

being served. While not a perfect measure, looking at income levels along the Los

Angeles Metro stations offers a look at how income is distributed.

Blue Line

The Blue Line is Los Angeles’ oldest and second busiest Metro rail service serving

some of Los Angeles County’s poorest residents. Only two stations are in areas

where median incomes are above the county’s level. Little neighborhood

development has occurred along the Blue Line stations compared with other lines

due to a mix of economic and zoning factors, according to a recent report by

Genevieve Giuliano of USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Highest

Union Station

Wardlow

$75,085

Lowest

Grand

$25,820

L.A. County

L.A. County

median income

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Below

Above

Above

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

Grand

$25,820

San Pedro

$26,662

Washington

$39,617

South L.A.

Vernon

$30,159

Slauson

$32,329

Florence

$34,306

$34,000

Firestone

$27,462

Watts Towers

$34,571

Willowbrook

$41,308

Compton

Artesia

$47,380

Del Amo

$48,613

$75,085

Wardlow

Long Beach

$57,914

Willow

PCH

$31,898

Anaheim

$30,884

$36,946

5th St.

$40,272

1st St.

Downtown

Long Beach

$43,164

$35,812

Pacific

Crenshaw Line

The $2.06 billion Crenshaw/LAX transit project is planned to open in 2019 and will serve neighborhoods in South L.A. and South Bay with mostly black and Latino residents.

Highest

Westchester/Veterans

Union Station

$53,682

Lowest

Fairview Heights

$33,752

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

$36,813

Expo/Crenshaw

South L.A.

$45,927

MLK

$43,300

Leimert Park

$42,028

Hyde Park

Fairview Heights

$33,752

South

Bay

Downtown Inglewood

$38,151

Westchester/

$53,682

Veterans

$42,660

Aviation/Century

Expo Line

Construction of the Expo Line extension was completed in 2015 and is expected

to open in early 2016. Stations along the extension reside in more affluent and

predominantly white areas.

Highest

Union Station

Westwood/Rancho Park

$85,662

Lowest

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

23rd St.

$22,015

$19,642

Jefferson/USC

South

L.A.

Expo Park/USC

$23,261

Expo/Vermont

$23,800

Expo/Western

$36,427

Expo/Crenshaw

$38,813

Farmdale

$29,129

Expo/La Brea

$34,043

La Cienega/

$59,123

Jefferson

$62,074

Culver City

West L.A.

$64,522

Palms

Westwood/

Rancho Park

$85,662

Expo/Sepulveda

$72,604

Expo/Bundy

$67,262

26th St./Bergamot

$66,354

17th St./Santa

$65,728

Monica College

$61,121

Downtown

Santa Monica

Gold Line

Stations in Pasadena and elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley are mostly above the

county median income level. Levels sharply decrease when entering downtown Los

Angeles. The Gold Line extension to Azusa finished construction in 2015 and is

scheduled to open March 5.

Highest

Union Station

Fillmore

$84,085

Lowest

Little Tokyo/Arts District

$21,872

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

APU/

Citrus College

$54,863

San Gabriel Valley

Azusa Downtown

$55,677

$65,247

Irwindale

Duarte/

City of Hope

$54,179

$68,424

Monrovia

$75,169

Arcadia

Pasadena

$83,575

Sierra Madre Villa

Allen

$66,389

Lake

$59,603

$61,880

Memorial Park

Del Mar

$79,949

$84,085

Fillmore

$80,459

South Pasadena

Highland Park

$44,288

DTLA

Southwest Museum

$42,589

Heritage Square

$40,216

Lincoln/Cypress

$40,839

Chinatown

$23,137

Union Station

$24,278

Little Tokyo/

Arts District

$21,872

Pico/Aliso

$35,272

Mariachi Plaza

$27,701

East

L.A.

Soto

$29,167

Indiana

$38,122

Maravilla

$36,638

Civic Center

East L.A.

$35,460

Atlantic

$44,699

Green Line

The Douglas station had the highest median income among the Metro rail stations.

The Green Line was built along the 105 Freeway as a result of a legal settlement

with Caltrans. The line is the only rail line to not service downtown Los Angeles.

Highest

Douglas

Union Station

$126,005

Lowest

Willowbrook

$31,338

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

$82,425

Redondo Beach

South Bay

$126,005

Douglas

El Segundo

$119,423

Mariposa

$71,442

$51,752

Aviation/LAX

Hawthorne/Lennox

$36,531

Crenshaw

$52,543

Vermont/Athens

$32,102

South L.A.

Harbor Freeway

$33,469

Avalon

$40,110

Willowbrook

$31,338

Long Beach Blvd.

$39,143

Southeast L.A.

Lakewood Blvd.

$58,565

Norwalk

$60,017

Purple Line

Phase one of three of the construction has begun and is expected to open in 2024,

allowing riders to commute to Wilshire and La Cienega. The entire extension line

project is estimated to cost $7.2 billion.

Highest

Century City

Union Station

$107,432

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

Wilshire/Vermont

$32,064

Wilshire/Normandie

$33,542

Wilshire/Western

$33,965

$74,326

Wilshire/La Brea

Wilshire/Fairfax

$71,754

La Cienega

Wilshire/

$73,013

$99,326

Wilshire/Rodeo

West L.A.

$107,432

Century City

Westwood/UCLA

$65,409

VA Hospital

$79,170

Red Line

Universal City was the only station above the county median income level. The Red

Line was one of the most controversial subway lines, according to Genevieve

Giuliano at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. The rail line plan was originally

supposed to run from downtown to Fairfax via Wilshire Boulevard but faced so

much opposition that the route was altered to go through Vermont Avenue up to

San Fernando Valley.

Highest

Union Station

Universal City

$83,622

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St. /Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire /Vermont

$34,449

Vermont/Beverly

Santa Monica

Vermont/

$34,711

$42,537

Vermont/Sunset

$31,779

Hollywood/Western

$34,807

Hollywood/Vine

Hollywood/

$46,075

Highland

$83,622

Universal City

San Fernando Valley

North Hollywood

$45,947

Regional Connector

The $1.43 billion rail project plans to allow commuters to connect to multiple

stations and allow direct travel between Azusa and Long Beach and East L.A. and

Santa Monica. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

Union Station

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

DTLA

$24,947

2nd St./Broadway

$20,870

1st/Central Ave.

Methodology

Median household income estimates for each station were calculated by taking the

aggregate number of people who fell in each income bracket for all U.S. Census tracts

within a half-mile radius of a station. The 2014 five-year median income estimates from

the Census were used. Some tracts were counted for two stations due to their

proximity to both.

This year has seen the extension of two Metro lines to affluent communities. The income level around

Metro stations can go from twice the amount of Los Angeles County’s median income to well below in a

matter of a few stops. We decided to look at median household income levels along all the lines to get a

clearer picture of who’s being served. While not a perfect measure, looking at income levels along the Los

Angeles Metro stations offers a look at how income is distributed.

Blue Line

The Blue Line is Los Angeles’ oldest and second busiest Metro rail service serving some of Los Angeles

County’s poorest residents. Only two stations are in areas where median incomes are above the county’s

level. Little neighborhood development has occurred along the Blue Line stations compared with other

lines due to a mix of economic and zoning factors, according to a recent report by Genevieve Giuliano of

USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Highest

Union Station

Wardlow

$75,085

Lowest

Grand

$25,820

L.A. County

L.A. County

median income

median income

$55,870

Below

Below

Above

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

Grand

$25,820

San Pedro

$26,662

Washington

$39,617

South L.A.

Vernon

$30,159

Slauson

$32,329

Florence

$34,306

Firestone

$34,000

103rd St./Watts Towers

$27,462

Willowbrook

$34,571

Compton

$41,308

Artesia

$47,380

Del Amo

$48,613

$75,085

Wardlow

Long Beach

$57,914

Willow

PCH

$31,898

Anaheim

$30,884

$36,946

5th St.

$40,272

1st St.

Downtown Long Beach

$43,164

$35,812

Pacific

Crenshaw Line

The $2.06 billion Crenshaw/LAX transit project is planned to open in 2019 and will serve neighborhoods

in South L.A. and South Bay with mostly black and Latino residents.

Highest

Westchester/Veterans

Union Station

$53,682

Lowest

Fairview Heights

$33,752

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

$36,813

Expo/Crenshaw

South L.A.

$45,927

MLK

$43,300

Leimert Park

$42,028

Hyde Park

Fairview Heights

$33,752

South Bay

Downtown Inglewood

$38,151

Westchester/

$53,682

Veterans

$42,660

Aviation/Century

Expo Line

Construction of the Expo Line extension was completed in 2015 and is expected to open in early 2016.

Stations along the extension reside in more affluent and predominantly white areas.

Highest

Union Station

Westwood/Rancho Park

$85,662

Lowest

Jefferson/USC

$19,642

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

DTLA

Pico

$29,597

23rd St.

$22,015

$19,642

Jefferson/USC

South L.A.

Expo Park/USC

$23,261

Expo/Vermont

$23,800

Expo/Western

$36,427

Expo/Crenshaw

$38,813

Farmdale

$29,129

Expo/La Brea

$34,043

La Cienega/Jefferson

$59,123

$62,074

Culver City

West L.A.

$64,522

Palms

Westwood/

Rancho Park

$85,662

Expo/Sepulveda

$72,604

Expo/Bundy

$67,262

26th St./Bergamot

$66,354

17th St./Santa

$65,728

Monica College

$61,121

Downtown

Gold Line

Stations in Pasadena and elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley are mostly above the county median

income level. Levels sharply decrease when entering downtown Los Angeles. The Gold Line extension

to Azusa finished construction in 2015 and is scheduled to open March 5.

Highest

Fillmore

Union Station

$84,085

Lowest

Little Tokyo/Arts District

$21,872

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

APU/Citrus College

$54,863

San Gabriel Valley

Azusa Downtown

$55,677

$65,247

Irwindale

$54,179

Duarte/City of Hope

$68,424

Monrovia

$75,169

Arcadia

Pasadena

$83,575

Sierra Madre Villa

Allen

$66,389

Lake

$59,603

$61,880

Memorial Park

Del Mar

$79,949

$84,085

Fillmore

$80,459

South Pasadena

Highland Park

$44,288

DTLA

Southwest Museum

$42,589

Heritage Square

$40,216

Lincoln/Cypress

$40,839

Chinatown

$23,137

Union Station

$24,278

Little Tokyo/

Arts District

$21,872

Pico/Aliso

$35,272

Mariachi Plaza

$27,701

East L.A.

Soto

$29,167

Indiana

$38,122

Maravilla

$36,638

East L.A. Civic Center

$35,460

Atlantic

$44,699

Green Line

The Douglas station had the highest median income among the Metro rail stations. The Green Line

was built along the 105 Freeway as a result of a legal settlement with Caltrans. The line is the only rail

line to not service downtown Los Angeles.

Highest

Douglas

Union Station

$126,005

Lowest

Willowbrook

$31,338

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Station

Below

Above

$82,425

Redondo Beach

South Bay

Douglas

$126,005

$119,423

El Segundo

Mariposa

$71,442

$51,752

Aviation/LAX

Hawthorne/Lennox

$36,531

Crenshaw

$52,543

Vermont/Athens

$32,102

South L.A.

Harbor Freeway

$33,469

Avalon

$40,110

Willowbrook

$31,338

Long Beach Blvd.

$39,143

Southeast L.A.

Lakewood Blvd.

$58,565

Norwalk

$60,017

Purple Line

Phase one of three of the construction has begun and is expected to open in 2024, allowing riders to

commute to Wilshire and La Cienega. The entire extension line project is estimated to cost $7.2 billion.

Highest

Century City

Union Station

$107,432

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St./Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central

L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire/Vermont

$33,542

Wilshire/Normandie

$33,965

Wilshire/Western

$74,326

Wilshire/La Brea

$71,754

Wilshire/Fairfax

$73,013

Wilshire/La Cienega

Wilshire/Rodeo

$99,326

West L.A.

Century City

$107,432

Westwood/UCLA

$65,409

VA Hospital

$79,170

Red Line

Universal City was the only station above the county median income level. The Red Line was one of the

most controversial subway lines, according to Genevieve Giuliano at USC’s Sol Price School of Public

Policy. The rail line plan was originally supposed to run from downtown to Fairfax via Wilshire

Boulevard but faced so much opposition that the route was altered to go through Vermont Avenue up

to San Fernando Valley.

Highest

Union Station

Universal City

$83,622

Lowest

Westlake/McArthur Park

$22,404

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

Union Station

$24,278

DTLA

Civic Center

$33,689

Pershing Square

$23,791

7th St. /Metro Center

$29,774

Westlake/

McArthur Park

$22,404

Central L.A.

$32,064

Wilshire /Vermont

$34,449

Vermont/Beverly

$34,711

Vermont/Santa Monica

$42,537

Vermont/Sunset

$31,779

Hollywood/Western

$34,807

Hollywood/Vine

$46,075

Hollywood/Highalnd

Universal City

$83,622

San Fernando Valley

North Hollywood

$45,947

Regional Connector

The $1.43 billion rail project plans to allow commuters to connect to multiple stations and allow

direct travel between Azusa and Long Beach and East L.A. and Santa Monica. It is scheduled to open

in 2020.

Union Station

L.A. County

median income

$55,870

Below

Above

Station

2nd St./Hope

$35,137

DTLA

$24,947

2nd St./Broadway

$20,870

1st/Central Ave.

Methodology

Median household income estimates for each station were calculated by taking the aggregate number of

people who fell in each income bracket for all U.S. Census tracts within a half-mile radius of a

station. The 2014 five-year median income estimates from the Census were used. Some tracts were

counted for two stations due to their proximity to both.