Fountain Valley, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Fountain Valley is a mid-size city in California with a population of 56,358. Residents earn $111,797 per year, which is 49% above the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
56,358 Population 6,214/sq mi density
$111,797 Median Income $48,238 per capita
$1,018,600 Home Value $1,357,637 Zillow
$2,507 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
151 Violent Crime/100K 1,794 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$111,797 median income, 3.9% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.5 / 5.0
$1,018,600 home value, $2,507/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
151 violent crimes/100K (60% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $111,797
49% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,018,600
261% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 151/100K
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.9%
33% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,507
116% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 20.7%
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population56,358
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density6,214/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 43%

Economy

A+
Median Income$111,797
Per Capita$48,238
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute26 min

Housing

D
Home Value$1,018,600
Rent$2,507
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,357,637

Crime

F
Violent151/100K
Property1,794/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault114/100K
Burglary344/100K

Health

Obesity20.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.6%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.2 in/yr
Elevation46 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.9%
High School+90.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute26 min
EV Stations17
Libraries67

Is Fountain Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fountain Valley receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Fountain Valley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fountain Valley is $111,797, which is significantly higher than the national average — 49% above $75,149. This places Fountain Valley among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fountain Valley is $1,018,600, making it a premium housing market at 261% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,507 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Fountain Valley is below the national average at 151 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,794 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fountain Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Fountain Valley has a population of 56,358 with a density of 6,214 people per square mile. The median age is 43.7 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (43.1%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 1.2% Black.

Population

56,358
Total Population
6,214
People / sq mi
43.7yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
9.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Fountain Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only55.0%
30% below US avg
Spanish45.0%
236% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Fountain Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fountain Valley is $111,797, which is 49% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Fountain Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$111,797
49% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,238
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.9 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Fountain Valley is $1,018,600, 261% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,507 (116% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,357,637.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,018,600
261% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,357,637
Median List Price$1,439,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,439,500
$/Sq Ft$674
Homes Sold22
Sale-to-List Ratio102.1%
Price Drops20.5%
Inventory39

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,507
116% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,836

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-Occupied66.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate0.99%
In Fountain Valley, 20.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.6% report depression. 22.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fountain Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity20.7%
36% below US avg
Diabetes9.7%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma8.7%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity22.0%
Depression18.6%
Mental Distress16.1%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate72.3%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Fountain Valley has a violent crime rate of 151 per 100,000 residents, 60% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,794 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent150.8/100K
60% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery36.8/100K
Assault114.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,794.0/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary343.7/100K
Theft1,331.0/100K
Vehicle Theft119.3/100K
Arson1.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fountain Valley has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

58°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average58°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.2 inches
71% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Area9.1 sq mi (23.5 km²)
Population Density6,214/sq mi
Coordinates33.7106°N, 117.9511°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 44.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.9%
33% above US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,214/sq mi
Total Area9.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations17
Alt Fuel Stations27
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.9 min
Work from Home14.6%

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