Alturas, CA

California

Alturas is a small town in California with a population of 2,703. Residents earn $54,634 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,703 Population 952/sq mi density
$54,634 Median Income $31,725 per capita
$152,600 Home Value $171,798 Zillow
$781 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
1,109 Violent Crime/100K 3,403 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$54,634 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,600 home value, $781/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,109 violent crimes/100K (192% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,634
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,600
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,109/100K
192% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.1%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $781
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.4%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,703
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density952/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,634
Per Capita$31,725
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$688M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,600
Rent$781
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$171,798

Crime

F
Violent1,109/100K
Property3,403/100K
Murder153.0/100K
Assault803/100K
Burglary1,224/100K

Health

Obesity32.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.7 in/yr
Elevation4,366 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.1%
High School+88.7%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 25%
Commute14 min
EV Stations2
Libraries4

Is Alturas a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alturas receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes. Alturas offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alturas is $54,634, 27% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alturas is $152,600, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $781 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,109 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,403 per 100,000, 74% above the national average.

Education

26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alturas experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Alturas has a population of 2,703 with a density of 952 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.1%), with 12.5% Hispanic, 1.2% Black.

Population

2,703
Total Population
952
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.8%
Female 58.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Alturas vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.7%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.3%
7% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Alturas vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alturas is $54,634, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Alturas vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,634
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,725
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$52,809

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)426
County GDP$688M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare16
Retail26
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,717
22% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.0 min
Work from Home9.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Alturas is $152,600, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $781 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $171,798.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,600
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$171,798

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$781
33% below 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-Occupied67.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,717
22% below US avg
Effective Rate1.78%
In Alturas, 32.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.4%
1% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate70.0%
Premature Death13,302/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access54.6%
Healthcare Facilities16
Alturas has a violent crime rate of 1,109 per 100,000 residents, 192% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,403 per 100,000 (74% above US avg). The murder rate is 153.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Alturas vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,109.0/100K
192% above US avg
Murder153.0/100K
2328% above US avg
Rape114.7/100K
Robbery38.2/100K
Assault803.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,403.4/100K
74% above US avg
Burglary1,223.7/100K
Theft1,950.3/100K
Vehicle Theft229.5/100K
Arson38.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Alturas has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.7 inches
69% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,366 ft (1,331 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density952/sq mi
Coordinates41.4891°N, 120.5513°W
County FIPS06049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 46.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.1%
23% below US avg
High School+88.7%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density952/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants21
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.0 min
Work from Home9.2%

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