Atascadero, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Atascadero is a small city in California with a population of 29,735. Residents earn $88,830 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
29,735 Population 1,141/sq mi density
$88,830 Median Income $59,728 per capita
$673,400 Home Value $766,764 Zillow
$1,855 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
246 Violent Crime/100K 1,531 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$88,830 median income, 2.7% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.4 / 5.0
$673,400 home value, $1,855/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
246 violent crimes/100K (35% below avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,830
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $673,400
139% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 246/100K
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.2%
10% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,855
60% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.6%
14% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population29,735
Median Age40.5 yrs
Density1,141/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A+
Median Income$88,830
Per Capita$59,728
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$24,505M
Commute22 min

Housing

C
Home Value$673,400
Rent$1,855
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$766,764

Crime

F
Violent246/100K
Property1,531/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault178/100K
Burglary349/100K

Health

Obesity27.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.0 in/yr
Elevation1,131 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.2%
High School+92.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute22 min
EV Stations14
Libraries17

Is Atascadero a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Atascadero receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Atascadero has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Atascadero is $88,830, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Atascadero is $673,400, making it a premium housing market at 139% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,855 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Atascadero is below the national average at 246 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,531 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

30.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Atascadero enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Atascadero has a population of 29,735 with a density of 1,141 people per square mile. The median age is 40.5 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.2%), with 4.2% Hispanic.

Population

29,735
Total Population
1,141
People / sq mi
40.5yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
26.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Atascadero vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.1%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.9%
4% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Atascadero vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Atascadero is $88,830, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Atascadero vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,830
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$59,728
Avg Weekly Wage$1,179
IRS Avg AGI$98,019

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% 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 Rate1.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home12.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Atascadero is $673,400, 139% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,855 (60% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $766,764.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$673,400
139% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$766,764
Median List Price$885,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$885,000
$/Sq Ft$415
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio98.3%
Price Drops25.9%
Inventory58

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,855
60% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,221

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-Occupied62.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,639
118% above US avg
Effective Rate1.13%
In Atascadero, 27.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.6%
14% below US avg
Diabetes8.3%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death6,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access86.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,220
Atascadero has a violent crime rate of 246 per 100,000 residents, 35% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,531 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent246.0/100K
35% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape41.0/100K
Robbery27.3/100K
Assault177.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,530.7/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary348.5/100K
Theft1,083.1/100K
Vehicle Theft99.1/100K
Arson10.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Atascadero has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average59.5°F
10% above US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.0 inches
55% below US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,131 ft (345 m)
Area26.1 sq mi (67.5 km²)
Population Density1,141/sq mi
Coordinates35.4857°N, 120.6879°W
County FIPS06079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 30.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% below 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+30.2%
10% below US avg
High School+92.8%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,141/sq mi
Total Area26.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations14
Alt Fuel Stations16
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 Commute21.9 min
Work from Home12.4%

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