Atwater, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Atwater is a mid-size city in California with a population of 32,013. Residents earn $63,945 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
32,013 Population 4,873/sq mi density
$63,945 Median Income $30,133 per capita
$340,600 Home Value $415,897 Zillow
$1,219 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
628 Violent Crime/100K 3,536 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$63,945 median income, 6.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$340,600 home value, $1,219/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
628 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
13.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,945
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $340,600
21% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 628/100K
65% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.1%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,219
5% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.4%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.9%
44% higher than US avg

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

People

Population32,013
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density4,873/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 40%

Economy

B
Median Income$63,945
Per Capita$30,133
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty17.9%
County GDP$13,282M
Commute29 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$340,600
Rent$1,219
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$415,897

Crime

F
Violent628/100K
Property3,536/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault511/100K
Burglary829/100K

Health

Obesity34.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.5 in/yr
Elevation164 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.1%
High School+73.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute29 min
EV Stations5
Libraries13

Is Atwater a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Atwater receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Atwater has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Atwater is $63,945, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 17.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Atwater is $340,600, 21% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,219 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 628 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 3,536 per 100,000, 80% above the national average.

Education

13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Atwater enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Atwater has a population of 32,013 with a density of 4,873 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (40.1%), with 2.6% Hispanic, 3.5% Black.

Population

32,013
Total Population
4,873
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Atwater vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only53.3%
32% below US avg
Spanish46.7%
249% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Atwater vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Atwater is $63,945, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Atwater vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,945
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,133
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$57,281

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.9%
44% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,584
County GDP$13,282M

Business (County)

Restaurants403
Healthcare479
Retail547
Manufacturing116

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.0 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Atwater is $340,600, 21% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,219 (5% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $415,897.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$340,600
21% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$415,897
Median List Price$409,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$409,500
$/Sq Ft$274
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio99.7%
Price Drops11.5%
Inventory26

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,219
5% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,650

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-Occupied52.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Atwater, 34.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 32.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.4%
7% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity32.8%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Checkup Rate69.5%
Premature Death8,849/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities479
Atwater has a violent crime rate of 628 per 100,000 residents, 65% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,536 per 100,000 (80% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent628.4/100K
65% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape31.1/100K
Robbery86.3/100K
Assault511.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,535.8/100K
80% above US avg
Burglary828.7/100K
Theft2,361.8/100K
Vehicle Theft345.3/100K
Arson6.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Atwater has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.5 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation164 ft (50 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.0 km²)
Population Density4,873/sq mi
Coordinates37.3540°N, 120.5972°W
County FIPS06047
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.9%
D 46.5%

Winner: Republican by 4.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.1%
61% below US avg
High School+73.8%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density4,873/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities479
Restaurants403
Retail Stores547

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.0 min
Work from Home4.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Atwater with another city: