Descanso, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Descanso is a small town in California with a population of 1,670. Residents earn $125,714 per year, which is 67% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,670 Population 87/sq mi density
$125,714 Median Income $53,639 per capita
$606,100 Home Value $652,477 Zillow
$3,318 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$125,714 median income, 0.6% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$606,100 home value, $3,318/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $125,714
67% higher than US avg
Home Value $606,100
115% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.5%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $3,318
185% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.0%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,670
Median Age54.8 yrs
Density87/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

A+
Median Income$125,714
Per Capita$53,639
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$331,868M
Commute28 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$606,100
Rent$3,318
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$652,477

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity26.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain30.3 in/yr
Elevation3,575 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.5%
High School+94.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute28 min
Libraries88

Is Descanso a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Descanso receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Descanso offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Descanso is $125,714, which is significantly higher than the national average — 67% above $75,149. This places Descanso among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Descanso is $606,100, making it a premium housing market at 115% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,318 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Descanso experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.3 inches, including 19.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Descanso has a population of 1,670 with a density of 87 people per square mile. The median age is 54.8 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.3%).

Population

1,670
Total Population
87
People / sq mi
54.8yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
19.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Descanso vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.6%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.4%
22% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Descanso vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Descanso is $125,714, which is 67% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Descanso vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$125,714
67% above US avg
Per Capita Income$53,639
Avg Weekly Wage$1,593
IRS Avg AGI$104,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)133,031
County GDP$331,868M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,243
Healthcare11,184
Retail9,270
Manufacturing2,955

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.8 min
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Descanso is $606,100, 115% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,318 (185% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $652,477.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$606,100
115% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$652,477

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$332
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,318
185% above 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-Occupied64.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Rate1.52%
In Descanso, 26.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 18.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.0%
19% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure27.0%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity18.3%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.9%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death5,727/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access97.5%
Healthcare Facilities11,184

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Descanso has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average54.0°F
0% below US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.3 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall19.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,575 ft (1,090 m)
Area19.2 sq mi (49.6 km²)
Population Density87/sq mi
Coordinates32.8696°N, 116.6279°W
County FIPS06073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.2%
D 56.9%

Winner: Democrat by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.5%
39% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density87/sq mi
Total Area19.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries88
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Restaurants8,243
Retail Stores9,270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disaster Declarations455

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.8 min
Work from Home11.3%

Nearby Cities

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