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Fort Bidwell, CA

California

Fort Bidwell is a small town in California with a population of 172. Residents earn $36,750 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
172 Population 54/sq mi density
$36,750 Median Income $37,523 per capita
$193,800 Home Value
$565 Median Rent 27.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 316 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$36,750 median income, 2.5% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$193,800 home value, $565/mo rent
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,750
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $193,800
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.2%
4% higher than US avg
Median Rent $565
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.7%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.5%
23% lower than US avg

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

People

Population172
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density54/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 54%
Veterans14.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$36,750
Per Capita$37,523
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty9.5%
County GDP$688M
Commute71 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$193,800
Rent$565
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units123
Rent Burden27.3%

Health

Obesity31.7%
Uninsured6.4%
Smoking14.6%
Depression24.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.5 in/yr
Sunny Days316/yr
Elevation4,646 ft (1,416 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.2%
High School+90.7%
Graduate+3.6%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 25%
Commute71 min
Broadband59.0%
Libraries4

Is Fort Bidwell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Bidwell receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Fort Bidwell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Bidwell is $36,750, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 9.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 71 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Bidwell is $193,800, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $565 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Bidwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 316 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 17.5 inches, including 55.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Fort Bidwell has a population of 172 with a density of 54 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (54.1%), with 44.8% Hispanic.

Population

172
Total Population
54
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.7%
Female 41.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Bidwell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Bidwell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Bidwell is $36,750, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 71 minutes.

Income: Fort Bidwell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,750
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,523
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$52,809

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.5%
23% below US avg
Establishments (County)426
County GDP$688M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare16
Retail26
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,717
22% below US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time71.2 min
Drive Alone11.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home29.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Bidwell is $193,800, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $565 (51% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$193,800
31% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$565
51% below US avg
Rent Burden27.3%

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-Occupied59.3%
Housing Units123
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,717
22% below US avg
Effective Rate1.40%
In Fort Bidwell, 31.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.4% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 24.8% report depression. 20.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Bidwell vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.7%
1% below US avg
Diabetes10.3%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD5.5%
Cancer6.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity20.6%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep35.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.9%
Uninsured6.4%
26% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,165
Dentists1:1,419
Mental Health1:243
Checkup Rate70.7%
Dental Visits61.5%
Premature Death13,302/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access54.6%
Healthcare Facilities16
Fort Bidwell has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.5 inches. The area enjoys 316 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days316 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.5 inches
54% below US avg
Snowfall55.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,646 ft (1,416 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density54/sq mi
Coordinates41.8633°N, 120.1594°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 35.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.7-point margin. 59.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 46.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.2%
4% above US avg
High School+90.7%
Graduate Degree+3.6%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density54/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access59.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants21
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute71.2 min
Drive Alone11.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home29.5%

Nearby Cities

Lakeview, OR 3,043 pop · 24.7 mi Alturas, CA 2,703 pop · 32.8 mi Altamont, OR 19,844 pop · 83.6 mi Klamath Falls, OR 21,879 pop · 86.7 mi Keno, OR 1,853 pop · 92.7 mi
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