During a public address at the Fullerton City Council meeting on March 17, Brea Councilmember Christine Marick discussed a new report released by the Orange County Commission, where she serves as a member. The report focuses on the status of women and girls in the county and aims to evaluate the conditions that affect them, with the goal of promoting gender equity and empowerment.

The inaugural report, the first of its kind in over thirty years, offers a comprehensive overview of the status of women and girls in Orange County (OC). While the findings indicate that women and girls in OC perform relatively well in terms of employment, earnings, and educational attainment compared to state benchmarks, challenges persist, particularly within the county’s high cost-of-living environment. With median rents surpassing California’s average by 20% and the national average by 69%, financial pressures can exacerbate existing disparities.

Key findings from the report reveal that OC women are disproportionately represented in lower-wage industries, head households with children at a significantly higher rate (40.9%) than the general population (30%), and earn just 87 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Additionally, childcare costs, which can account for nearly a quarter of median income for women without external support, highlight the substantial economic pressures facing working families.

While the report emphasizes the strengths of women and girls in OC, it also points to pressing concerns that require the attention of local stakeholders. In 2024, OC women reported lower unemployment rates (4.1%) compared to their California counterparts (5.5%) and enjoyed higher average earnings. Furthermore, the distribution of household income is skewed positively, with a smaller percentage earning below $75,000 and a larger share exceeding $150,000 compared to the statewide average.

Despite these positive indicators, the report notes a wider gender wage gap in OC than in California as a whole, underscoring the uneven economic security across different populations. Poverty rates for OC women stand at 10%, lower than the statewide rate of 13%; however, the burden of high housing costs and childcare expenses continues to threaten household stability.

The Orange County Commission plans to use the insights from this report to make informed recommendations aimed at advancing the well-being of women and girls, who are increasingly recognized as central to the county’s economic vitality and family stability.

Click here to read the full report,