Arroyo Grande, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Arroyo Grande is a small city in California with a population of 18,412. Residents earn $103,258 per year, which is 37% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
18,412 Population 3,100/sq mi density
$103,258 Median Income $50,203 per capita
$758,100 Home Value $1,019,385 Zillow
$1,890 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
292 Violent Crime/100K 1,997 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$103,258 median income, 1.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$758,100 home value, $1,890/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
292 violent crimes/100K (23% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $103,258
37% higher than US avg
Home Value $758,100
169% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 292/100K
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.5%
32% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,890
63% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.9%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.0%
84% lower than US avg

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

People

Population18,412
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density3,100/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

A+
Median Income$103,258
Per Capita$50,203
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty2.0%
County GDP$24,505M
Commute23 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$758,100
Rent$1,890
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,019,385

Crime

F
Violent292/100K
Property1,997/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault247/100K
Burglary460/100K

Health

Obesity25.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.9 in/yr
Elevation224 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.5%
High School+94.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute23 min
EV Stations10
Libraries17

Is Arroyo Grande a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Arroyo Grande receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Arroyo Grande offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Arroyo Grande is $103,258, which is significantly higher than the national average — 37% above $75,149. This places Arroyo Grande among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Arroyo Grande is $758,100, making it a premium housing market at 169% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,890 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Arroyo Grande is below the national average at 292 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,997 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Arroyo Grande enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Arroyo Grande has a population of 18,412 with a density of 3,100 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 (76.5%), with 3.2% Hispanic.

Population

18,412
Total Population
3,100
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Arroyo Grande vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Arroyo Grande vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Arroyo Grande is $103,258, which is 37% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Arroyo Grande vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$103,258
37% above US avg
Per Capita Income$50,203
Avg Weekly Wage$1,179
IRS Avg AGI$98,019

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.0%
84% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,662
County GDP$24,505M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,072
Healthcare1,220
Retail1,084
Manufacturing473

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Work from Home11.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Arroyo Grande is $758,100, 169% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,890 (63% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,019,385.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$758,100
169% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,019,385
Median List Price$708,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$708,950
$/Sq Ft$536
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops19.2%
Inventory26

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,890
63% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,917

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-Occupied62.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Rate1.01%
In Arroyo Grande, 25.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 17.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Arroyo Grande vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.9%
19% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma10.2%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity17.2%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Checkup Rate69.7%
Premature Death6,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access86.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Arroyo Grande has a violent crime rate of 292 per 100,000 residents, 23% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,997 per 100,000 (2% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent291.7/100K
23% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape5.6/100K
Robbery39.3/100K
Assault246.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,996.8/100K
2% above US avg
Burglary459.9/100K
Theft1,363.0/100K
Vehicle Theft173.9/100K
Arson11.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Arroyo Grande has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average59.1°F
9% above US avg
January Average55°F (13°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.9 inches
53% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation224 ft (68 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.4 km²)
Population Density3,100/sq mi
Coordinates35.1241°N, 120.5845°W
County FIPS06079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 44.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.1%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.5%
32% above US avg
High School+94.8%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,100/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations12
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Restaurants1,072
Retail Stores1,084

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Work from Home11.5%

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