Ferndale, CA

California

Ferndale is a small town in California with a population of 1,525. Residents earn $62,090 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,525 Population 1,260/sq mi density
$62,090 Median Income $36,877 per capita
$496,000 Home Value $503,701 Zillow
$1,150 Median Rent 35.4% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
221 Violent Crime/100K 1,250 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$62,090 median income, 4.9% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.1 / 5.0
$496,000 home value, $1,150/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
221 violent crimes/100K (42% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,090
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $496,000
76% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 221/100K
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.4%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,150
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.4%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.9%
36% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,525
Median Age58.8 yrs
Density1,260/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 76%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$62,090
Per Capita$36,877
Unemployment4.9%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$7,591M
Commute20 min

Housing

C
Home Value$496,000
Rent$1,150
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$503,701
Rent Burden35.4%

Crime

F
Violent221/100K
Property1,250/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault221/100K
Burglary588/100K

Health

Obesity31.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain40.4 in/yr
Elevation45 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.4%
High School+93.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 62%
Commute20 min
Broadband89.9%
EV Stations5
Libraries13

Is Ferndale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ferndale receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Ferndale has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ferndale is $62,090, 17% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ferndale is $496,000, making it a premium housing market at 76% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,150 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ferndale is below the national average at 221 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,250 per 100,000, 36% below the national average.

Education

26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ferndale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Ferndale has a population of 1,525 with a density of 1,260 people per square mile. The median age is 58.8 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76%), with 9.2% Hispanic.

Population

1,525
Total Population
1,260
People / sq mi
58.8yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.7%
Female 57.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Ferndale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.7%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.3%
14% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ferndale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ferndale is $62,090, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ferndale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,090
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,877
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062
IRS Avg AGI$64,241

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.9%
36% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,685
County GDP$7,591M

Business (County)

Restaurants393
Healthcare384
Retail538
Manufacturing123

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,760
36% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Drive Alone80.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ferndale is $496,000, 76% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,150 (1% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $503,701.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$496,000
76% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$503,701

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,150
1% below US avg
Rent Burden35.4%

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-Occupied61.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,760
36% above US avg
Effective Rate0.96%
In Ferndale, 31.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.4%
2% below US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.4%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Checkup Rate69.5%
Premature Death9,668/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access88.3%
Healthcare Facilities384
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 221 per 100,000 residents, 42% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,250 per 100,000 (36% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent220.6/100K
42% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault220.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,250.0/100K
36% below US avg
Burglary588.2/100K
Theft661.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ferndale has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 58°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average52.6°F
3% below US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average58°F (14°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.4 inches
6% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation45 ft (14 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density1,260/sq mi
Coordinates40.5781°N, 124.2612°W
County FIPS06023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.4-point margin. 89.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.6%
D 62%

Winner: Democrat by 28.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.4%
22% below US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,260/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.9%
EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities384
Restaurants393
Retail Stores538

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Drive Alone80.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.0%

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