At a Glance
Median Income
$74,728
$50,506 per capita
Home Value
$517,900
Zillow: $530,328
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
37.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,582/100K
2,123/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
34.9%
91.3% high school+
Unemployment
6.5%
8.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
31.6%
12.6% smoking rate
How Big Bear Lake Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Big Bear Lake's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Big Bear Lake a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Big Bear Lake residents earn a median household income of $74,728 , which is 1% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $50,506. The unemployment rate stands at 6.5% (81% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 77,170 business establishments, including 4,197 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $517,900 , 84% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $530,328. Median rent is $1,278/month, with 37.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Safety & Crime
Big Bear Lake reports 1,582 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 316% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,123/100K.
Education
34.9% of adults in Big Bear Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(4% above the national average).
91.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Big Bear Lake has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C).
Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.0 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87.
Data Overview
People
Population5,038
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density806/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Foreign Born13.1%
Veterans9.8%
Economy
B+
Median Income$74,728
Per Capita$50,506
Unemployment6.5%
Poverty8.0%
County GDP$137,914M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,199
Housing
C+
Home Value$517,900
Rent$1,278
Ownership67.2%
Zillow$530,328
Housing Units9,662
Rent Burden37.2%
Crime
F
Violent1,582/100K
Property2,123/100K
Health
Obesity31.6%
Diabetes9.3%
Smoking12.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death9,378/100K
Climate
Avg Temp48°F
Rain20.0 in/yr
AQI87 (Moderate)
Elevation6,832 ft
Education
B+
Bachelor's+34.9%
High School+91.3%
Graduate+12.9%
School Score4.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute28 min
Broadband93.8%
Internet Speed117 Mbps
EV Stations10
Libraries48
Did You Know?
The median home in Big Bear Lake was built in 1976.
23.8% work from home.
The nearest airport is San Bernardino International (22 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.439 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very High" by FEMA.
9.0% of the population has a disability.
13.1% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 117 Mbps.
There are 4,197 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 419 fatal vehicle crashes.
455 declared natural disasters on record.