Cerritos, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Cerritos is a mid-size city in California with a population of 48,340. Residents earn $133,953 per year, which is 78% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
48,340 Population 5,537/sq mi density
$133,953 Median Income $54,839 per capita
$908,600 Home Value $1,076,402 Zillow
$2,909 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
172 Violent Crime/100K 3,058 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$133,953 median income, 2.9% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$908,600 home value, $2,909/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
172 violent crimes/100K (55% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $133,953
78% higher than US avg
Home Value $908,600
222% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 172/100K
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 57.1%
69% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,909
150% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 16.7%
48% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.0%
60% lower than US avg

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

People

Population48,340
Median Age47.0 yrs
Density5,537/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 15%

Economy

A+
Median Income$133,953
Per Capita$54,839
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty5.0%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute33 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$908,600
Rent$2,909
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,076,402

Crime

F
Violent172/100K
Property3,058/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault66/100K
Burglary588/100K

Health

Obesity16.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.4%
Heart Disease3.5%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.0 in/yr
Elevation59 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+57.1%
High School+93.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute33 min
EV Stations28
Libraries67

Is Cerritos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cerritos receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Cerritos offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cerritos is $133,953, which is significantly higher than the national average — 78% above $75,149. This places Cerritos among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. Only 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cerritos is $908,600, making it a premium housing market at 222% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,909 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Cerritos is below the national average at 172 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,058 per 100,000, 56% above the national average.

Education

Cerritos is a highly educated community — 57.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Cerritos enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Cerritos has a population of 48,340 with a density of 5,537 people per square mile. The median age is 47.0 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (14.5%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 6.8% Black.

Population

48,340
Total Population
5,537
People / sq mi
47.0yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
8.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Cerritos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only44.8%
43% below US avg
Spanish55.2%
312% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Cerritos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cerritos is $133,953, which is 78% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Cerritos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$133,953
78% above US avg
Per Capita Income$54,839
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.0%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.1 min
Work from Home17.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Cerritos is $908,600, 222% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,909 (150% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,076,402.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$908,600
222% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,076,402
Median List Price$1,200,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,200,000
$/Sq Ft$652
Homes Sold20
Sale-to-List Ratio101.6%
Price Drops7.4%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,909
150% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,632

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-Occupied74.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.11%
In Cerritos, 16.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 14.4% report depression. 19.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity16.7%
48% below US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease3.5%
High Blood Pressure24.7%
Asthma7.3%
COPD2.7%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.6%
Physical Inactivity19.3%
Depression14.4%
Mental Distress12.5%
Physical Distress9.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate73.2%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Cerritos has a violent crime rate of 172 per 100,000 residents, 55% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,058 per 100,000 (56% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent172.5/100K
55% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape6.0/100K
Robbery100.3/100K
Assault66.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,058.1/100K
56% above US avg
Burglary587.6/100K
Theft2,107.6/100K
Vehicle Theft363.0/100K
Arson6.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cerritos has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.0 inches
68% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation59 ft (18 m)
Area8.7 sq mi (22.6 km²)
Population Density5,537/sq mi
Coordinates33.8677°N, 118.0695°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 57.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+57.1%
69% above US avg
High School+93.8%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,537/sq mi
Total Area8.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations28
Alt Fuel Stations32
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.1 min
Work from Home17.3%

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