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Big Bend, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Big Bend is a small town in California with a population of 132. Residents earn $28,958 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
132 Population 23/sq mi density
$28,958 Median Income $20,219 per capita
$850 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 308 sunny days/yr
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.2 / 5.0
$28,958 median income, 19.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
3.0 / 5.0
$850/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,958
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.8%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 19.2%
433% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.5%
162% higher than US avg

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

People

Population132
Median Age49.5 yrs
Density23/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans99.0%

Economy

F
Median Income$28,958
Per Capita$20,219
Unemployment19.2%
Poverty32.5%
County GDP$11,870M
Commute9 min

Housing

C+
Home ValueN/A
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units80
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity31.8%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking18.0%
Depression28.6%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain28.6 in/yr
Sunny Days308/yr
Elevation2,036 ft (621 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+92.6%
Graduate+1.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute9 min
Broadband45.0%
Libraries4

Is Big Bend a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Bend receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Big Bend has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Bend is $28,958, 61% below the national average of $75,149. At 19.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 32.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 9 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 308 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 28.6 inches, including 44.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Big Bend has a population of 132 with a density of 23 people per square mile. The median age is 49.5 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%), with 3% Hispanic, 3.8% Black.

Population

132
Total Population
23
People / sq mi
49.5yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
5.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.7%
Female 55.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Bend vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Bend vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Bend is $28,958, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 19.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 32.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 9 minutes.

Income: Big Bend vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,958
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,219
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$70,441

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment19.2%
433% above US avg
Poverty Rate32.5%
162% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,748
County GDP$11,870M

Business (County)

Restaurants430
Healthcare667
Retail615
Manufacturing133

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,628
32% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time9.0 min
Drive Alone55.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

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-Occupied80.0%
Housing Units80
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,628
32% above US avg
In Big Bend, 31.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 18.0% are current smokers. 28.6% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Bend vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.8%
1% below US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma13.0%
COPD7.7%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.0%
29% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression28.6%
Mental Distress23.7%
Physical Distress16.2%
Short Sleep42.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.8%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.5%
Dental Visits53.3%
Premature Death10,558/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access79.3%
Healthcare Facilities667
Big Bend has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.6 inches. The area enjoys 308 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.6 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall44.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,036 ft (621 m)
Area5.7 sq mi (14.9 km²)
Population Density23/sq mi
Coordinates41.0116°N, 121.9304°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06089
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.5-point margin. 45.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 30.5%

Winner: Republican by 36.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+92.6%
Graduate Degree+1.8%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density23/sq mi
Total Area5.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access45.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities667
Restaurants430
Retail Stores615

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30
FEMA Disaster Declarations546

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute9.0 min
Drive Alone55.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Burney, CA 2,921 pop · 15.8 mi Dunsmuir, CA 1,519 pop · 23.3 mi Jones Valley, CA 1,212 pop · 26.9 mi Mount Shasta, CA 3,208 pop · 29.3 mi Bella Vista, CA 3,843 pop · 30.2 mi Shasta Lake, CA 10,334 pop · 33.0 mi Palo Cedro, CA 3,561 pop · 34.8 mi Shingletown, CA 2,188 pop · 35.1 mi Weed, CA 2,765 pop · 36.3 mi Redding, CA 93,268 pop · 38.1 mi Shasta, CA 1,330 pop · 40.8 mi Lake Shastina, CA 2,908 pop · 42.3 mi Centerville CDP (Shasta County), CA 2,065 pop · 42.8 mi Anderson, CA 11,282 pop · 43.3 mi
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