Clearlake, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Clearlake is a small city in California with a population of 16,604. Residents earn $41,580 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
16,604 Population 1,639/sq mi density
$41,580 Median Income $19,944 per capita
$204,500 Home Value $202,950 Zillow
$1,162 Median Rent 40.9% income on rent
57°F Avg Temperature
650 Violent Crime/100K 4,566 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$41,580 median income, 8.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$204,500 home value, $1,162/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
650 violent crimes/100K (71% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
6.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,580
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $204,500
27% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 650/100K
71% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.9%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,162
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.1%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.1%
125% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.6%
42% higher than US avg

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

People

Population16,604
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density1,639/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 59%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

C
Median Income$41,580
Per Capita$19,944
Unemployment8.1%
Poverty17.6%
County GDP$39,448M
Commute32 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$204,500
Rent$1,162
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$202,950
Rent Burden40.9%

Crime

F
Violent650/100K
Property4,566/100K
Murder13.4/100K
Assault449/100K
Burglary1,891/100K

Health

Obesity37.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.9%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain29.9 in/yr
Elevation1,354 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.9%
High School+79.6%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 25% / D 71%
Commute32 min
Broadband78.4%
EV Stations1
Libraries16

Is Clearlake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clearlake receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Clearlake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clearlake is $41,580, 45% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.1%, unemployment is notably high. 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 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clearlake is $204,500, 27% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,162 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 650 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,566 per 100,000, 133% above the national average.

Education

6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Clearlake enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Clearlake has a population of 16,604 with a density of 1,639 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.1%), with 8.2% Hispanic, 3.9% Black.

Population

16,604
Total Population
1,639
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
10.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Clearlake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.9%
1% below US avg
Spanish22.1%
65% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Clearlake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clearlake is $41,580, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Clearlake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,580
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,944
Avg Weekly Wage$1,373
IRS Avg AGI$104,542

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.1%
125% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.6%
42% above US avg
Establishments (County)21,652
County GDP$39,448M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,311
Healthcare1,623
Retail1,675
Manufacturing922

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,415
140% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.3 min
Drive Alone68.0%
Public Transit2.6%
Work from Home10.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Clearlake is $204,500, 27% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,162 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $202,950.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$204,500
27% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$202,950
Median List Price$281,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$281,500
$/Sq Ft$191
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops21.9%
Inventory64

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,162
0% below US avg
Rent Burden40.9%

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-Occupied58.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,415
140% above US avg
Effective Rate4.11%
In Clearlake, 37.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.9% report depression. 33.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.1%
16% above US avg
Diabetes13.8%
High Blood Pressure36.1%
Asthma11.7%
COPD9.8%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity33.6%
Depression26.9%
Mental Distress22.9%
Physical Distress19.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.4%
Checkup Rate68.8%
Premature Death5,997/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access93.4%
Healthcare Facilities1,623
Clearlake has a violent crime rate of 650 per 100,000 residents, 71% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,566 per 100,000 (133% above US avg). The murder rate is 13.4 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent650.4/100K
71% above US avg
Murder13.4/100K
113% above US avg
Rape80.5/100K
Robbery107.3/100K
Assault449.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,566.2/100K
133% above US avg
Burglary1,890.8/100K
Theft2,138.9/100K
Vehicle Theft536.4/100K
Arson53.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)38
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Clearlake has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.9°F
5% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.9 inches
21% below US avg
Snowfall0.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,354 ft (413 m)
Area10.1 sq mi (26.2 km²)
Population Density1,639/sq mi
Coordinates38.9600°N, 122.6332°W
County FIPS06097
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 46.2-point margin. 78.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 25.2%
D 71.4%

Winner: Democrat by 46.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.9%
80% below US avg
High School+79.6%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,639/sq mi
Total Area10.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.4%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities1,623
Restaurants1,311
Retail Stores1,675

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)38
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.3 min
Drive Alone68.0%
Public Transit2.6%
Work from Home10.3%

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