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Blue Lake, CA

California

Blue Lake is a small town in California with a population of 997. Residents earn $52,813 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
997 Population 1,608/sq mi density
$52,813 Median Income $40,169 per capita
$460,800 Home Value $437,497 Zillow
$1,247 Median Rent 40.9% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$52,813 median income, 6.2% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.7 / 5.0
$460,800 home value, $1,247/mo rent
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,813
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $460,800
63% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.9%
12% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,247
7% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.4%
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.2%
72% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.1%
43% lower than US avg

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

People

Population997
Median Age52.4 yrs
Density1,608/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,813
Per Capita$40,169
Unemployment6.2%
Poverty7.1%
County GDP$7,591M
Commute15 min

Housing

D
Home Value$460,800
Rent$1,247
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$437,497
Housing Units533
Rent Burden40.9%

Health

Obesity29.4%
Uninsured5.2%
Smoking12.0%
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (11°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain46.1 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation83 ft (25 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.9%
High School+96.7%
Graduate+10.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 62%
Commute15 min
Broadband93.3%
EV Stations8
Libraries13

Is Blue Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Blue Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Blue Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Blue Lake is $52,813, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Blue Lake is $460,800, making it a premium housing market at 63% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,247 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Blue Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Blue Lake has a population of 997 with a density of 1,608 people per square mile. The median age is 52.4 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.4%), with 6.5% Hispanic.

Population

997
Total Population
1,608
People / sq mi
52.4yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.1%
Female 57.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Blue Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Blue Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Blue Lake is $52,813, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Blue Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,813
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,169
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062
IRS Avg AGI$64,241

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.2%
72% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.1%
43% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,685
County GDP$7,591M

Business (County)

Restaurants393
Healthcare384
Retail538
Manufacturing123

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,760
36% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.4 min
Drive Alone64.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home19.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Blue Lake is $460,800, 63% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,247 (7% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $437,497.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$460,800
63% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$437,497

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,247
7% above US avg
Rent Burden40.9%

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-Occupied45.8%
Housing Units533
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,760
36% above US avg
Effective Rate1.03%
In Blue Lake, 29.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.2% of residents lack health insurance. 12.0% are current smokers. 27.0% report depression. 18.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Blue Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.4%
8% below US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure27.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD5.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.0%
14% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity18.4%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress12.3%
Short Sleep33.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Uninsured5.2%
40% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,642
Dentists1:1,216
Mental Health1:160
Checkup Rate70.5%
Dental Visits65.5%
Premature Death9,668/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access88.3%
Healthcare Facilities384
Blue Lake has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.1 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average57°F (14°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.1 inches
21% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation83 ft (25 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density1,608/sq mi
Coordinates40.8810°N, 123.9949°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.4-point margin. 93.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.6%
D 62%

Winner: Democrat by 28.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.9%
12% above US avg
High School+96.7%
Graduate Degree+10.5%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,608/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.3%
EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities384
Restaurants393
Retail Stores538

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.4 min
Drive Alone64.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home19.0%

Nearby Cities

Arcata, CA 18,578 pop · 4.4 mi McKinleyville, CA 17,152 pop · 6.5 mi Myrtletown, CA 5,028 pop · 9.5 mi Eureka, CA 26,302 pop · 10.1 mi Cutten, CA 3,214 pop · 11.2 mi Westhaven-Moonstone, CA 1,374 pop · 11.8 mi Bayview CDP (Humboldt County), CA 2,708 pop · 12.5 mi Pine Hills, CA 3,200 pop · 13.4 mi Humboldt Hill, CA 3,421 pop · 15.2 mi Hoopa, CA 2,274 pop · 20.7 mi Fortuna, CA 12,413 pop · 21.7 mi Hydesville, CA 1,144 pop · 22.8 mi Ferndale, CA 1,525 pop · 25.1 mi Rio Dell, CA 3,371 pop · 27.4 mi
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