Buttonwillow, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Buttonwillow is a small town in California with a population of 1,251. Residents earn $35,417 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
1,251 Population 181/sq mi density
$35,417 Median Income $16,236 per capita
$215,200 Home Value $226,849 Zillow
$1,100 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$35,417 median income, 3.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$215,200 home value, $1,100/mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,417
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $215,200
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.2%
91% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,100
5% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 31.4%
153% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,251
Median Age25.2 yrs
Density181/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 43%

Economy

C
Median Income$35,417
Per Capita$16,236
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty31.4%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute32 min

Housing

B
Home Value$215,200
Rent$1,100
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,849

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain6.0 in/yr
Elevation295 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.2%
High School+45.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute32 min
EV Stations8
Libraries28

Is Buttonwillow a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buttonwillow receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Buttonwillow has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buttonwillow is $35,417, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 31.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buttonwillow is $215,200, 24% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

3.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 45.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Buttonwillow enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Buttonwillow has a population of 1,251 with a density of 181 people per square mile. The median age is 25.2 years, 35% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (42.6%), with 4.1% Hispanic.

Population

1,251
Total Population
181
People / sq mi
25.2yrs
Median Age
35% below US avg
6.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Buttonwillow vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only29.3%
63% below US avg
Spanish70.7%
428% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Buttonwillow vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buttonwillow is $35,417, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 31.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Buttonwillow vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,417
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,236
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate31.4%
153% above US avg
Establishments (County)27,950
County GDP$63,070M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,569
Healthcare1,838
Retail2,004
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.3 min
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Buttonwillow is $215,200, 24% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,100 (5% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,849.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$215,200
24% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,849
Median List Price$119,995

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$119,995
$/Sq Ft$114
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,100
5% below 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-Occupied34.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate2.46%
In Buttonwillow, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 39.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes16.1%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma10.1%
COPD7.2%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity39.4%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress18.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disasters273

Safety Score

Buttonwillow has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 6.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall6.0 inches
84% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation295 ft (90 m)
Area6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
Population Density181/sq mi
Coordinates35.4092°N, 119.4407°W
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 3.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (91% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 38.2%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.2%
91% below US avg
High School+45.4%
School Test Score4.69
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density181/sq mi
Total Area6.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.3 min
Work from Home2.2%

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