Fortuna, CA

California

Fortuna is a small city in California with a population of 12,413. Residents earn $61,603 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,413 Population 2,364/sq mi density
$61,603 Median Income $34,278 per capita
$353,200 Home Value $417,379 Zillow
$1,126 Median Rent 35.3% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
281 Violent Crime/100K 4,221 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$61,603 median income, 3.4% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$353,200 home value, $1,126/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
281 violent crimes/100K (26% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,603
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $353,200
25% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 281/100K
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.8%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,126
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.9%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,413
Median Age36.7 yrs
Density2,364/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 70%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,603
Per Capita$34,278
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$7,591M
Commute23 min

Housing

B
Home Value$353,200
Rent$1,126
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$417,379
Rent Burden35.3%

Crime

F
Violent281/100K
Property4,221/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault170/100K
Burglary621/100K

Health

Obesity31.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain40.4 in/yr
Elevation71 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.8%
High School+86.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 62%
Commute23 min
Broadband88.1%
EV Stations9
Libraries13

Is Fortuna a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fortuna receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, high health insurance coverage. Fortuna has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fortuna is $61,603, 18% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fortuna is $353,200, 25% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,126 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Fortuna is below the national average at 281 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,221 per 100,000, 115% above the national average.

Education

22.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fortuna 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.

Fortuna has a population of 12,413 with a density of 2,364 people per square mile. The median age is 36.7 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.7%), with 7.6% Hispanic.

Population

12,413
Total Population
2,364
People / sq mi
36.7yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Fortuna vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.1%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.9%
4% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Fortuna vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fortuna is $61,603, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Fortuna vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,603
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,278
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062
IRS Avg AGI$64,241

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% 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 Rate1.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.7 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit1.6%
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Fortuna is $353,200, 25% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,126 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $417,379.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$353,200
25% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$417,379
Median List Price$359,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$359,500
$/Sq Ft$250
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops29.3%
Inventory41

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,126
3% below US avg
Rent Burden35.3%

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-Occupied59.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,760
36% above US avg
Effective Rate1.35%
In Fortuna, 31.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.9%
1% below US avg
Diabetes9.8%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress20.9%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate69.1%
Premature Death9,668/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access88.3%
Healthcare Facilities384
Fortuna has a violent crime rate of 281 per 100,000 residents, 26% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,221 per 100,000 (115% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent280.8/100K
26% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape76.6/100K
Robbery34.0/100K
Assault170.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,220.6/100K
115% above US avg
Burglary621.2/100K
Theft3,420.7/100K
Vehicle Theft178.7/100K
Arson59.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fortuna 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

Elevation71 ft (22 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density2,364/sq mi
Coordinates40.5871°N, 124.1422°W
County FIPS06023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 22.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.4-point margin. 88.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.6%
D 62%

Winner: Democrat by 28.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.8%
32% below US avg
High School+86.0%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density2,364/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.1%
EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities384
Restaurants393
Retail Stores538

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.7 min
Drive Alone76.4%
Public Transit1.6%
Work from Home6.1%

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