Fortuna, CA

Full City Profile · California · Humboldt County County

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,413 Population 2,364/sq mi density
$61,603 Median Income $34,278 per capita
$353,200 Home Value $418,228 Zillow
$1,126 Median Rent 35.3% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature
303 Violent Crime/100K 1,121 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$61,603 median income, 6.1% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$353,200 home value, $1,126/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
303 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Fortuna, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$61,603
18% below
$34,278 per capita
Home Value
$353,200
25% above
Zillow: $418,228
Median Rent
$1,126/mo
3% below
35.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
303/100K
20% below
1,121/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%
32% below
86.0% high school+
Unemployment
6.1%
69% above
11.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
31.9%
1% below
15.2% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
56°F

How Fortuna Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Fortuna's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
82%
Home Value
125%
Rent
97%
Poverty
94%
Bachelor's
68%
Unemployment
169%
Crime
80%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Fortuna a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.6 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Fortuna residents earn a median household income of $61,603 , which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $34,278. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1% (69% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 7,685 business establishments, including 393 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Fortuna is $353,200 , 25% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $418,228. Median rent is $1,126/month, with 35.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1974.

Safety & Crime

Fortuna reports 303 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 20% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,121/100K.

Education

22.8% of adults in Fortuna hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below the national average). 86.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Fortuna has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Data Overview

People

Population12,413
Median Age36.7 yrs
Density2,364/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born13.2%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$61,603
Per Capita$34,278
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$7,591M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062

Housing

B
Home Value$353,200
Rent$1,126
Ownership59.0%
Zillow$418,228
Housing Units5,300
Rent Burden35.3%

Crime

F
Violent303/100K
Property1,121/100K

Health

Obesity31.9%
Diabetes9.8%
Smoking15.2%
Premature Death9,668/100K

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
Rain47.7 in/yr
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation71 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.8%
High School+86.0%
Graduate+5.5%
School Score4.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 62%
Commute23 min
Broadband88.1%
Internet Speed30 Mbps
EV Stations9
Libraries13

Did You Know?

Fortuna was founded in 1906.
The median home in Fortuna was built in 1974.
The nearest airport is Redding Regional (97 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.481 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
18.8% of the population has a disability.
13.2% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 393 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 24 fatal vehicle crashes.