Boulder Creek, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Boulder Creek is a small city in California with a population of 5,353. Residents earn $106,842 per year, which is 42% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
5,353 Population 713/sq mi density
$106,842 Median Income $56,934 per capita
$785,200 Home Value $727,892 Zillow
$1,844 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$106,842 median income, 5.7% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$785,200 home value, $1,844/mo rent
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $106,842
42% higher than US avg
Home Value $785,200
179% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.9%
12% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,844
59% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.8%
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.8%
94% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,353
Median Age46.4 yrs
Density713/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

A
Median Income$106,842
Per Capita$56,934
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty0.8%
County GDP$21,092M
Commute38 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$785,200
Rent$1,844
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$727,892

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain49.6 in/yr
Elevation497 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.9%
High School+95.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 21% / D 75%
Commute38 min
Libraries16

Is Boulder Creek a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Boulder Creek receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, long commute times. Boulder Creek offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Boulder Creek is $106,842, which is significantly higher than the national average — 42% above $75,149. This places Boulder Creek among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Boulder Creek is $785,200, making it a premium housing market at 179% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,844 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.3x, 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. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Boulder Creek enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Boulder Creek has a population of 5,353 with a density of 713 people per square mile. The median age is 46.4 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.5%), with 5.4% Hispanic.

Population

5,353
Total Population
713
People / sq mi
46.4yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
7.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Boulder Creek vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.3%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.7%
20% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Boulder Creek vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Boulder Creek is $106,842, which is 42% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Boulder Creek vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$106,842
42% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,934
Avg Weekly Wage$1,300
IRS Avg AGI$115,937

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.8%
94% below US avg
Establishments (County)10,171
County GDP$21,092M

Business (County)

Restaurants734
Healthcare939
Retail822
Manufacturing281

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,787
180% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.2 min
Work from Home17.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Boulder Creek is $785,200, 179% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,844 (59% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $727,892.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$785,200
179% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$727,892
Median List Price$549,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$549,000
$/Sq Ft$463
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops35.7%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,844
59% above US avg

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-Occupied77.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,787
180% above US avg
Effective Rate1.25%
In Boulder Creek, 24.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 16.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Boulder Creek vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.8%
23% below US avg
Diabetes7.3%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure26.3%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity16.1%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death5,482/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access98.3%
Healthcare Facilities939

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25

Safety Score

Boulder Creek has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average60.5°F
12% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.6 inches
31% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation497 ft (151 m)
Area7.5 sq mi (19.5 km²)
Population Density713/sq mi
Coordinates37.1341°N, 122.1272°W
County FIPS06087
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 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 54.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 20.9%
D 75.3%

Winner: Democrat by 54.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.9%
12% above US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density713/sq mi
Total Area7.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities939
Restaurants734
Retail Stores822

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)25

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.2 min
Work from Home17.2%

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