Arcata, CA

Full City Profile · California · Humboldt County County

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
18,578 Population 1,972/sq mi density
$48,731 Median Income $30,772 per capita
$466,600 Home Value $486,080 Zillow
$1,287 Median Rent 38.6% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
502 Violent Crime/100K 1,800 property/100K
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$48,731 median income, 13.2% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.2 / 5.0
$466,600 home value, $1,287/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
502 violent crimes/100K (32% above avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Arcata, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$48,731
35% below
$30,772 per capita
Home Value
$466,600
66% above
Zillow: $486,080
Median Rent
$1,287/mo
11% above
38.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
502/100K
32% above
1,800/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
45.1%
34% above
95.0% high school+
Unemployment
13.2%
267% above
15.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
32.9%
2% above
14.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
53°F

How Arcata Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Arcata's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
65%
Home Value
166%
Rent
111%
Poverty
125%
Bachelor's
134%
Unemployment
367%
Crime
132%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Arcata a Good Place to Live?

C
2.3 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Arcata residents earn a median household income of $48,731 , which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $30,772. The unemployment rate stands at 13.2% (267% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 7,685 business establishments, including 393 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Arcata is $466,600 , 66% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $486,080. Median rent is $1,287/month, with 38.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1975.

Safety & Crime

Arcata reports 502 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 32% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,800/100K.

Education

45.1% of adults in Arcata hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% above the national average). 95.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Arcata has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Data Overview

People

Population18,578
Median Age28.0 yrs
Density1,972/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Foreign Born6.2%
Veterans3.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$48,731
Per Capita$30,772
Unemployment13.2%
Poverty15.5%
County GDP$7,591M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062

Housing

F
Home Value$466,600
Rent$1,287
Ownership33.9%
Zillow$486,080
Housing Units8,308
Rent Burden38.6%

Crime

F
Violent502/100K
Property1,800/100K

Health

Obesity32.9%
Diabetes10.3%
Smoking14.9%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death9,668/100K

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
Rain40.4 in/yr
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation13 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.1%
High School+95.0%
Graduate+18.9%
School Score4.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 62%
Commute18 min
Broadband92.8%
Internet Speed30 Mbps
EV Stations17
Libraries13

Did You Know?

The median home in Arcata was built in 1975.
The nearest airport is Redding Regional (96 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.481 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
16.1% of the population has a disability.
There are 393 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 24 fatal vehicle crashes.