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Ballard, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Ballard is a small town in California with a population of 796. Residents earn $113,750 per year, which is 51% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
796 Population 285/sq mi density
$113,750 Median Income $72,807 per capita
$1,589,300 Home Value
$2,260 Median Rent 39.6% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$113,750 median income, 3.1% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,589,300 home value, $2,260/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
54.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $113,750
51% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,589,300
464% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 54.8%
63% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,260
94% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.9%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.7%
83% higher than US avg

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

People

Population796
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density285/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans6.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$113,750
Per Capita$72,807
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty22.7%
County GDP$41,425M
Commute19 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,589,300
Rent$2,260
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units320
Rent Burden39.6%

Health

Obesity24.9%
Uninsured7.1%
Smoking9.6%
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F (15°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.4 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation673 ft (205 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+54.8%
High School+92.7%
Graduate+19.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute19 min
Broadband90.8%
Libraries20

Is Ballard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ballard 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, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate. Ballard offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ballard is $113,750, which is significantly higher than the national average — 51% above $75,149. This places Ballard among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ballard is $1,589,300, making it a premium housing market at 464% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,260 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 14x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Ballard is a highly educated community — 54.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 92.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ballard enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Ballard has a population of 796 with a density of 285 people per square mile. The median age is 40.3 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.8%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

796
Total Population
285
People / sq mi
40.3yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.7%
Female 57.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ballard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.6%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.4%
7% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ballard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ballard is $113,750, which is 51% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Ballard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$113,750
51% above US avg
Per Capita Income$72,807
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
IRS Avg AGI$108,768

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.7%
83% above US avg
Establishments (County)17,497
County GDP$41,425M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,253
Healthcare1,508
Retail1,476
Manufacturing521

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.2 min
Drive Alone60.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Ballard is $1,589,300, 464% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,260 (94% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,589,300
464% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,260
94% above US avg
Rent Burden39.6%

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-Occupied61.9%
Housing Units320
Median Year Built1978

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Rate0.69%
In Ballard, 24.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 7.1% of residents lack health insurance. 9.6% are current smokers. 23.6% report depression. 17.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.9%
22% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure26.6%
Asthma10.1%
COPD4.4%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking9.6%
31% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity17.4%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep30.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.5%
Uninsured7.1%
17% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,305
Dentists1:1,093
Mental Health1:150
Checkup Rate70.4%
Dental Visits70.6%
Premature Death6,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access92.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Ballard has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.4 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.4 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation673 ft (205 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²)
Population Density285/sq mi
Coordinates34.6399°N, 120.1110°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 54.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.7-point margin. 90.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 35.1%
D 61.8%

Winner: Democrat by 26.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+54.8%
63% above US avg
High School+92.7%
Graduate Degree+19.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density285/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.8%
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Restaurants1,253
Retail Stores1,476

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.2 min
Drive Alone60.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.8%

Nearby Cities

Santa Ynez, CA 4,725 pop · 1.8 mi Solvang, CA 6,034 pop · 3.6 mi Buellton, CA 5,090 pop · 5.0 mi Mission Hills, CA 3,794 pop · 19.0 mi Goleta, CA 32,693 pop · 20.1 mi Lompoc, CA 43,819 pop · 20.5 mi Vandenberg Village, CA 6,793 pop · 20.6 mi Isla Vista, CA 13,717 pop · 21.2 mi University of California-Santa Barbara, CA 11,634 pop · 21.5 mi Eastern Goleta Valley, CA 29,411 pop · 23.0 mi Vandenberg AFB, CA 3,688 pop · 23.3 mi Orcutt, CA 31,284 pop · 23.7 mi Mission Canyon, CA 2,296 pop · 25.8 mi Santa Maria, CA 109,880 pop · 27.7 mi
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