Chester, CA

California

Chester is a small town in California with a population of 2,022. Residents earn $80,142 per year, which is 7% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
2,022 Population 277/sq mi density
$80,142 Median Income $46,687 per capita
$241,400 Home Value $359,654 Zillow
$798 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$80,142 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$241,400 home value, $798/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $80,142
7% higher than US avg
Home Value $241,400
14% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $798
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.2%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,022
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density277/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$80,142
Per Capita$46,687
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,482M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$241,400
Rent$798
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$359,654

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity28.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation4,529 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+90.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 40%
Commute17 min
Libraries4

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Chester stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $80,142, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $241,400, 14% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $798 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 109.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Chester has a population of 2,022 with a density of 277 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.6%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

2,022
Total Population
277
People / sq mi
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
7.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $80,142, which is 7% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$80,142
7% above US avg
Per Capita Income$46,687
Avg Weekly Wage$1,151
IRS Avg AGI$74,261

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,004
County GDP$1,482M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare49
Retail89
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,141
47% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $241,400, 14% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $798 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $359,654.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$241,400
14% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$359,654

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$798
31% 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-Occupied81.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,141
47% above US avg
Effective Rate2.13%
In Chester, 28.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.9% report depression. 19.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.2%
12% below US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma10.8%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity19.3%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.5%
Checkup Rate69.7%
Premature Death8,792/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access91.5%
Healthcare Facilities49

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Chester has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall109.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,529 ft (1,380 m)
Area7.3 sq mi (18.9 km²)
Population Density277/sq mi
Coordinates40.3017°N, 121.2325°W
County FIPS06063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 39.9%

Winner: Republican by 16.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+90.1%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density277/sq mi
Total Area7.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants100
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

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