California City, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

California City is a small city in California with a population of 14,821. Residents earn $55,271 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
14,821 Population 73/sq mi density
$55,271 Median Income $23,266 per capita
$239,600 Home Value $272,890 Zillow
$1,016 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
600 Violent Crime/100K 3,653 property/100K
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$55,271 median income, 9.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$239,600 home value, $1,016/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
600 violent crimes/100K (58% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,271
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $239,600
15% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 600/100K
58% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.1%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,016
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.2%
156% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.6%
82% higher than US avg

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

People

Population14,821
Median Age33.8 yrs
Density73/mi²
Male / Female57% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 42%

Economy

C
Median Income$55,271
Per Capita$23,266
Unemployment9.2%
Poverty22.6%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute47 min

Housing

A
Home Value$239,600
Rent$1,016
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$272,890

Crime

F
Violent600/100K
Property3,653/100K
Murder7.6/100K
Assault494/100K
Burglary1,891/100K

Health

Obesity39.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain6.7 in/yr
Elevation2,497 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.1%
High School+79.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute47 min
Libraries28

Is California City a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in California City is $55,271, 26% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 22.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in California City is $239,600, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,016 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 600 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,653 per 100,000, 86% above the national average.

Education

11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

California City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

California City has a population of 14,821 with a density of 73 people per square mile. The median age is 33.8 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (41.5%), with 3.9% Hispanic, 23.3% Black.

Population

14,821
Total Population
73
People / sq mi
33.8yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
203.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.5%
Female 43.5%

Race & Ethnicity

California City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.1%
12% below US avg
Spanish30.9%
131% above US avg

Social Characteristics

California City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in California City is $55,271, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes.

Income: California City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,271
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,266
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.2%
156% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.6%
82% 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 Rate2.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time46.6 min
Work from Home11.5%

Walkability

The median home value in California City is $239,600, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,016 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $272,890.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$239,600
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$272,890
Median List Price$335,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$335,000
$/Sq Ft$182
Homes Sold23
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops24.4%
Inventory119

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,016
13% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,769

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-Occupied57.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate2.21%
In California City, 39.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.0% report depression. 33.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: California City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.4%
23% above US avg
Diabetes14.7%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure36.8%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.0%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity33.8%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress21.6%
Physical Distress17.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate71.4%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838
California City has a violent crime rate of 600 per 100,000 residents, 58% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,653 per 100,000 (86% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent599.9/100K
58% above US avg
Murder7.6/100K
20% above US avg
Rape60.8/100K
Robbery38.0/100K
Assault493.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,652.8/100K
86% above US avg
Burglary1,891.0/100K
Theft1,594.8/100K
Vehicle Theft167.1/100K
Arson7.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disasters273

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
California City has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 6.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall6.7 inches
82% below US avg
Snowfall2.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,497 ft (761 m)
Area203.6 sq mi (527.4 km²)
Population Density73/sq mi
Coordinates35.1466°N, 117.8693°W
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% 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+11.1%
67% below US avg
High School+79.5%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density73/sq mi
Total Area203.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute46.6 min
Work from Home11.5%

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