Avenal, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Avenal is a small city in California with a population of 13,441. Residents earn $52,986 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,441 Population 690/sq mi density
$52,986 Median Income $13,664 per capita
$224,800 Home Value $251,580 Zillow
$1,060 Median Rent 31.0% income on rent
66°F Avg Temperature
129 Violent Crime/100K 1,107 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$52,986 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$224,800 home value, $1,060/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
129 violent crimes/100K (66% below avg)
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,986
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $224,800
20% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 129/100K
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.4%
87% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,060
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.7%
35% higher than US avg

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

People

Population13,441
Median Age32.3 yrs
Density690/mi²
Male / Female63% / 37%
Largest GroupWhite 21%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,986
Per Capita$13,664
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty16.7%
County GDP$9,220M
Commute31 min

Housing

A
Home Value$224,800
Rent$1,060
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$251,580
Rent Burden31.0%

Crime

F
Violent129/100K
Property1,107/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault79/100K
Burglary381/100K

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.5%
Heart Disease8.6%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain8.2 in/yr
Elevation1,104 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.4%
High School+51.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 37%
Commute31 min
EV Stations3
Libraries7

Is Avenal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Avenal receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Avenal has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Avenal is $52,986, 29% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 16.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Avenal is $224,800, 20% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,060 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Avenal is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 129 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,107 per 100,000, 44% below the national average.

Education

4.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 51.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Avenal enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Avenal has a population of 13,441 with a density of 690 people per square mile. The median age is 32.3 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (21.4%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 3.3% Black.

Population

13,441
Total Population
690
People / sq mi
32.3yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
19.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.9%
Female 37.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Avenal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only23.0%
71% below US avg
Spanish77.0%
475% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Avenal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Avenal is $52,986, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Avenal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,986
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$13,664
Avg Weekly Wage$1,084
IRS Avg AGI$58,024

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.7%
35% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,457
County GDP$9,220M

Business (County)

Restaurants218
Healthcare244
Retail303
Manufacturing59

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,105
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.2 min
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Avenal is $224,800, 20% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,060 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $251,580.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$224,800
20% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$251,580
Median List Price$246,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$246,000
$/Sq Ft$247
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.1%
Price Drops4.2%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,060
9% below US avg
Rent Burden31.0%

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-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,105
17% above US avg
Effective Rate1.83%
In Avenal, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.5% report depression. 41.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes17.7%
Heart Disease8.6%
High Blood Pressure35.7%
Asthma9.2%
COPD7.9%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity41.7%
Depression19.5%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress20.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.8%
Checkup Rate65.8%
Premature Death8,188/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access65.8%
Healthcare Facilities244
Avenal has a violent crime rate of 129 per 100,000 residents, 66% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,107 per 100,000 (44% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent129.4/100K
66% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery50.3/100K
Assault79.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,106.8/100K
44% below US avg
Burglary380.9/100K
Theft567.8/100K
Vehicle Theft158.1/100K
Arson7.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Avenal has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 8.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

49°F Jan (9°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average65.9°F
22% above US avg
January Average49°F (9°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall8.2 inches
78% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,104 ft (336 m)
Area19.5 sq mi (50.5 km²)
Population Density690/sq mi
Coordinates36.0311°N, 120.1162°W
County FIPS06031
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 4.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (87% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 23-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.4%
D 37.4%

Winner: Republican by 23 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.4%
87% below US avg
High School+51.2%
School Test Score4.69
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density690/sq mi
Total Area19.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities244
Restaurants218
Retail Stores303

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.2 min
Work from Home1.8%

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