Choose Country

Alta, CA

California

Alta is a small town in California with a population of 740. Residents earn $94,718 per year, which is 26% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
740 Population 311/sq mi density
$94,718 Median Income $74,590 per capita
$468,200 Home Value $455,116 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 41.7% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$94,718 median income, 4.8% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$468,200 home value, $775/mo rent
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $94,718
26% higher than US avg
Home Value $468,200
66% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.1%
4% higher than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

How Alta Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population740
Median Age46.8 yrs
Density311/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans3.4%

Economy

A+
Median Income$94,718
Per Capita$74,590
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$6,221M
Commute47 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$468,200
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$455,116
Housing Units371
Rent Burden41.7%

Health

Obesity30.6%
Uninsured6.0%
Smoking13.7%
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain62.4 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation3,796 ft (1,157 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.1%
High School+98.4%
Graduate+13.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 54%
Commute47 min
Broadband91.8%
Libraries7

Is Alta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alta receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Alta stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alta is $94,718, 26% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alta is $468,200, making it a premium housing market at 66% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 62.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Alta has a population of 740 with a density of 311 people per square mile. The median age is 46.8 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

740
Total Population
311
People / sq mi
46.8yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Alta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alta is $94,718, which is 26% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes.

Income: Alta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$94,718
26% above US avg
Per Capita Income$74,590
Avg Weekly Wage$1,206
IRS Avg AGI$96,141

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,494
County GDP$6,221M

Business (County)

Restaurants264
Healthcare350
Retail388
Manufacturing140

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,403
112% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time46.9 min
Drive Alone61.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home33.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Alta is $468,200, 66% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $455,116.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$468,200
66% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$455,116

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$265
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden41.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.4%
Housing Units371
Median Year Built1982

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,403
112% above US avg
Effective Rate1.58%
In Alta, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.0% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 26.7% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alta vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity20.3%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress13.8%
Short Sleep33.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.0%
Uninsured6.0%
30% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.5%
Dental Visits63.1%
Premature Death7,472/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access80.4%
Healthcare Facilities350
Alta has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 62.4 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average52.2°F
3% below US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall62.4 inches
64% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,796 ft (1,157 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²)
Population Density311/sq mi
Coordinates39.2157°N, 120.7985°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 35.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.2-point margin. 91.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.1%
D 54.4%

Winner: Democrat by 12.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.1%
4% above US avg
High School+98.4%
Graduate Degree+13.5%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density311/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.8%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities350
Restaurants264
Retail Stores388

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute46.9 min
Drive Alone61.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home33.2%

Nearby Cities

Colfax, CA 2,095 pop · 11.8 mi Nevada City, CA 3,168 pop · 12.9 mi Grass Valley, CA 14,126 pop · 13.6 mi Foresthill, CA 1,455 pop · 14.6 mi Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County), CA 7,061 pop · 14.8 mi Lake of the Pines, CA 5,012 pop · 18.7 mi Meadow Vista, CA 3,343 pop · 19.6 mi Georgetown, CA 2,580 pop · 21.1 mi Penn Valley, CA 1,197 pop · 21.2 mi Lake Wildwood, CA 4,967 pop · 21.4 mi Auburn Lake Trails, CA 3,861 pop · 24.8 mi North Auburn, CA 13,833 pop · 24.9 mi Auburn, CA 13,758 pop · 26.7 mi Newcastle, CA 1,594 pop · 30.0 mi
Compare Alta with another city: