Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County), CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) is a small city in California with a population of 7,061. Residents earn $99,576 per year, which is 33% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
7,061 Population 849/sq mi density
$99,576 Median Income $49,657 per capita
$560,600 Home Value
$2,033 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$99,576 median income, 2.1% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$560,600 home value, $2,033/mo rent
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
42.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $99,576
33% higher than US avg
Home Value $560,600
99% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 42.0%
25% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,033
75% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

How Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,061
Median Age55.4 yrs
Density849/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$99,576
Per Capita$49,657
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$4,508M
Commute29 min

Housing

B
Home Value$560,600
Rent$2,033
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain53.2 in/yr
Elevation2,083 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+42.0%
High School+96.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 36%
Commute29 min
Libraries1

Is Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) 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 Sierra CDP (Nevada County) is $99,576, which is significantly higher than the national average — 33% above $75,149. This places Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) is $560,600, making it a premium housing market at 99% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,033 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 42.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.2 inches, including 8.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) has a population of 7,061 with a density of 849 people per square mile. The median age is 55.4 years, 42% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

7,061
Total Population
849
People / sq mi
55.4yrs
Median Age
42% above US avg
8.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) is $99,576, which is 33% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$99,576
33% above US avg
Per Capita Income$49,657
Avg Weekly Wage$1,287
IRS Avg AGI$62,831

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,146
County GDP$4,508M

Business (County)

Restaurants95
Healthcare86
Retail134
Manufacturing41

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Work from Home20.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) is $560,600, 99% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,033 (75% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$560,600
99% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,033
75% above US avg

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-Occupied86.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Rate0.84%

Health Metrics: Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Premature Death9,988/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access83.9%
Healthcare Facilities86

Crime Rates: Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.2 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall8.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,083 ft (635 m)
Area8.3 sq mi (21.5 km²)
Population Density849/sq mi
Coordinates39.1262°N, 121.0491°W
County FIPS06115
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 42.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 25.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+42.0%
25% above US avg
High School+96.5%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density849/sq mi
Total Area8.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities86
Restaurants95
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Work from Home20.7%

Nearby Cities

Colfax, CA 2,095 pop · 5.6 mi Lake of the Pines, CA 5,012 pop · 6.1 mi Grass Valley, CA 14,126 pop · 6.5 mi Meadow Vista, CA 3,343 pop · 8.6 mi Penn Valley, CA 1,197 pop · 9.1 mi Nevada City, CA 3,168 pop · 9.3 mi Lake Wildwood, CA 4,967 pop · 10.9 mi North Auburn, CA 13,833 pop · 13.6 mi Foresthill, CA 1,455 pop · 14.4 mi Auburn, CA 13,758 pop · 16.0 mi
Compare Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County) with another city: