Compton, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Compton is a mid-size city in California with a population of 93,525. Residents earn $74,270 per year, which is 1% below the national average.

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
93,525 Population 9,325/sq mi density
$74,270 Median Income $23,796 per capita
$546,700 Home Value $628,533 Zillow
$1,601 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature 327 sunny days/yr
1,149 Violent Crime/100K 2,666 property/100K
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$74,270 median income, 4.5% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$546,700 home value, $1,601/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,149 violent crimes/100K (202% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $74,270
1% lower than US avg
Home Value $546,700
94% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 1,149/100K
202% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,601
38% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.2%
15% higher than US avg

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

People

Population93,525
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density9,325/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 14%

Economy

B+
Median Income$74,270
Per Capita$23,796
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty14.2%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute30 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$546,700
Rent$1,601
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$628,533

Crime

F
Violent1,149/100K
Property2,666/100K
Murder25.5/100K
Assault737/100K
Burglary552/100K

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain29.8 in/yr
Sunny Days327/yr
Elevation75 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+64.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute30 min
EV Stations20
Libraries258

Is Compton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Compton receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Compton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Compton is $74,270, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Compton is $546,700, making it a premium housing market at 94% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,601 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 1,149 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 2,666 per 100,000, 36% above the national average.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 64.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Compton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 327 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Compton has a population of 93,525 with a density of 9,325 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (25.3%), with 14% White, 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

93,525
Total Population
9,325
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
10.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.1%
Female 50.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Compton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only35.0%
55% below US avg
Spanish65.0%
385% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Compton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Compton is $74,270, which is 1% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Compton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$74,270
1% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,796
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.2%
15% above US avg
Establishments (County)572,385
County GDP$1,002,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants24,882
Healthcare37,635
Retail29,130
Manufacturing10,448

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.1 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Compton is $546,700, 94% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,601 (38% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $628,533.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$546,700
94% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$628,533
Median List Price$650,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$650,000
$/Sq Ft$516
Homes Sold20
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops9.6%
Inventory83

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,601
38% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,128

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-Occupied57.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.91%
In Compton, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 34.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes15.4%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.7%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity34.9%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress17.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%
Checkup Rate70.3%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Compton has a violent crime rate of 1,149 per 100,000 residents, 202% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,666 per 100,000 (36% above US avg). The murder rate is 25.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,149.4/100K
202% above US avg
Murder25.5/100K
304% above US avg
Rape27.5/100K
Robbery359.4/100K
Assault737.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,666.4/100K
36% above US avg
Burglary551.8/100K
Theft1,390.7/100K
Vehicle Theft723.9/100K
Arson51.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disasters1,001

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Compton has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.8 inches. The area enjoys 327 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days327 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.8 inches
22% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation75 ft (23 m)
Area10.0 sq mi (26.0 km²)
Population Density9,325/sq mi
Coordinates33.8940°N, 118.2275°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.9%
D 64.8%

Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+64.4%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density9,325/sq mi
Total Area10.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations20
Alt Fuel Stations23
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.1 min
Work from Home4.3%

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