California, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

California is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 5,046. Residents earn $49,500 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
5,046 Population 458/sq mi density
$49,500 Median Income $21,065 per capita
$142,600 Home Value $114,093 Zillow
$792 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
459 Violent Crime/100K 1,405 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$49,500 median income, 6.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$142,600 home value, $792/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
459 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,500
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $142,600
49% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 459/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.6%
12% lower than US avg
Median Rent $792
32% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.8%
89% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.0%
3% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,046
Median Age21.4 yrs
Density458/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,500
Per Capita$21,065
Unemployment6.8%
Poverty12.0%
County GDP$132,892M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$142,600
Rent$792
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$114,093

Crime

F
Violent459/100K
Property1,405/100K
Murder14.3/100K
Assault416/100K
Burglary229/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Elevation781 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.6%
High School+90.8%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 60%
Commute20 min
Libraries72

Is California a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, California receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. California offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in California is $49,500, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in California is $142,600, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $792 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,405 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

29.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

California experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

California has a population of 5,046 with a density of 458 people per square mile. The median age is 21.4 years, 45% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.2%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 11.8% Black.

Population

5,046
Total Population
458
People / sq mi
21.4yrs
Median Age
45% below US avg
11.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

California vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

California vs U.S. Average

The median household income in California is $49,500, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: California vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,500
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,065
Avg Weekly Wage$1,506
IRS Avg AGI$94,625

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.8%
89% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.0%
3% below US avg
Establishments (County)36,316
County GDP$132,892M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,345
Healthcare4,791
Retail3,982
Manufacturing940

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.8 min
Work from Home14.3%

Walkability

The median home value in California is $142,600, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $792 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $114,093.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$142,600
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$114,093
Median List Price$119,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$119,900
$/Sq Ft$65
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio92.8%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$792
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied45.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Rate6.21%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Premature Death8,412/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access93.3%
Healthcare Facilities4,791
California has a violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,405 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 14.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent458.7/100K
21% above US avg
Murder14.3/100K
127% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery28.7/100K
Assault415.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,404.8/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary229.4/100K
Theft1,161.1/100K
Vehicle Theft14.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
California has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.9°F
2% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation781 ft (238 m)
Area11.0 sq mi (28.5 km²)
Population Density458/sq mi
Coordinates40.0667°N, 79.9120°W
County FIPS42003
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 29.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.4%
D 59.7%

Winner: Democrat by 20.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.6%
12% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score5.95
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density458/sq mi
Total Area11.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries72
Healthcare Facilities4,791
Restaurants3,345
Retail Stores3,982

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.8 min
Work from Home14.3%

Nearby Cities

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