Chowchilla, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Chowchilla is a small city in California with a population of 18,876. Residents earn $63,308 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
18,876 Population 1,636/sq mi density
$63,308 Median Income $21,944 per capita
$331,500 Home Value $387,464 Zillow
$1,204 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
521 Violent Crime/100K 1,944 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$63,308 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$331,500 home value, $1,204/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
521 violent crimes/100K (37% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,308
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $331,500
18% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 521/100K
37% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.7%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,204
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.6%
42% higher than US avg

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

People

Population18,876
Median Age34.6 yrs
Density1,636/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 43%

Economy

B
Median Income$63,308
Per Capita$21,944
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty17.6%
County GDP$13,282M
Commute27 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$331,500
Rent$1,204
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$387,464

Crime

F
Violent521/100K
Property1,944/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault463/100K
Burglary814/100K

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain10.8 in/yr
Elevation243 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.7%
High School+77.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute27 min
EV Stations8
Libraries13

Is Chowchilla a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chowchilla receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Chowchilla has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chowchilla is $63,308, 16% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chowchilla is $331,500, 18% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 521 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,944 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Chowchilla enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Chowchilla has a population of 18,876 with a density of 1,636 people per square mile. The median age is 34.6 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (43.1%), with 4% Hispanic, 5.9% Black.

Population

18,876
Total Population
1,636
People / sq mi
34.6yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
11.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Chowchilla vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only58.3%
26% below US avg
Spanish41.7%
211% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Chowchilla vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chowchilla is $63,308, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Chowchilla vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,308
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,944
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$57,281

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.6%
42% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,584
County GDP$13,282M

Business (County)

Restaurants403
Healthcare479
Retail547
Manufacturing116

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.5 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Chowchilla is $331,500, 18% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,204 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $387,464.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$331,500
18% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$387,464
Median List Price$450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$450,000
$/Sq Ft$253
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops21.3%
Inventory47

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,204
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,743

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-Occupied59.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Rate1.39%
In Chowchilla, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 33.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
High Blood Pressure34.9%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.1%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity33.1%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress21.8%
Physical Distress17.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death8,849/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities479
Chowchilla has a violent crime rate of 521 per 100,000 residents, 37% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,944 per 100,000 (1% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent521.1/100K
37% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape5.9/100K
Robbery52.7/100K
Assault462.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,943.9/100K
1% below US avg
Burglary813.9/100K
Theft936.8/100K
Vehicle Theft193.2/100K
Arson29.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Chowchilla has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.3°F
17% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.8 inches
72% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation243 ft (74 m)
Area11.5 sq mi (29.9 km²)
Population Density1,636/sq mi
Coordinates37.1161°N, 120.2420°W
County FIPS06047
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.9%
D 46.5%

Winner: Republican by 4.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.7%
50% below US avg
High School+77.0%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,636/sq mi
Total Area11.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities479
Restaurants403
Retail Stores547

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.5 min
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Chowchilla with another city: