Dana Point, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Dana Point is a mid-size city in California with a population of 32,883. Residents earn $127,246 per year, which is 69% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
32,883 Population 5,067/sq mi density
$127,246 Median Income $78,103 per capita
$1,200,900 Home Value $1,682,503 Zillow
$2,883 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
207 Violent Crime/100K 1,352 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$127,246 median income, 2.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.3 / 5.0
$1,200,900 home value, $2,883/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
207 violent crimes/100K (45% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $127,246
69% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,200,900
326% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 207/100K
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 57.1%
69% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,883
148% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.2%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population32,883
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density5,067/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

A+
Median Income$127,246
Per Capita$78,103
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute29 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,200,900
Rent$2,883
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,682,503

Crime

F
Violent207/100K
Property1,352/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault152/100K
Burglary178/100K

Health

Obesity24.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation295 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+57.1%
High School+95.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute29 min
EV Stations13
Libraries67

Is Dana Point a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dana Point receives an overall livability score of 3.1 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. Dana Point offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dana Point is $127,246, which is significantly higher than the national average — 69% above $75,149. This places Dana Point among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dana Point is $1,200,900, making it a premium housing market at 326% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,883 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Dana Point is below the national average at 207 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,352 per 100,000, 31% below the national average.

Education

Dana Point is a highly educated community — 57.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dana Point enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Dana Point has a population of 32,883 with a density of 5,067 people per square mile. The median age is 48.0 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.6%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 1.9% Black.

Population

32,883
Total Population
5,067
People / sq mi
48.0yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
6.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Dana Point vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.1%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.9%
26% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Dana Point vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dana Point is $127,246, which is 69% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Dana Point vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$127,246
69% above US avg
Per Capita Income$78,103
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% 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 Rate0.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.3 min
Work from Home29.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Dana Point is $1,200,900, 326% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,883 (148% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,682,503.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,200,900
326% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,682,503
Median List Price$2,100,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$2,100,000
$/Sq Ft$939
Homes Sold30
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops14.9%
Inventory87

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,883
148% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,840

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-Occupied62.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate0.84%
In Dana Point, 24.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 17.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dana Point vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.2%
25% below US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure24.9%
Asthma9.9%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity17.3%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate72.1%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Dana Point has a violent crime rate of 207 per 100,000 residents, 45% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,352 per 100,000 (31% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent207.3/100K
45% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape35.0/100K
Robbery20.4/100K
Assault151.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,352.1/100K
31% below US avg
Burglary178.1/100K
Theft1,092.2/100K
Vehicle Theft81.8/100K
Arson5.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Dana Point has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation295 ft (90 m)
Area6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²)
Population Density5,067/sq mi
Coordinates33.4755°N, 117.6931°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+95.9%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,067/sq mi
Total Area6.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations17
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 Commute29.3 min
Work from Home29.8%

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