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French Gulch, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

French Gulch is a small town in California with a population of 221. Residents earn $32,188 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
221 Population 18/sq mi density
$32,188 Median Income $24,209 per capita
$84,100 Home Value
$1,350 Median Rent 40.0% income on rent
60°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$32,188 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,100 home value, $1,350/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,188
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,100
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.5%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,350
16% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.6%
14% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population221
Median Age57.8 yrs
Density18/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans16.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$32,188
Per Capita$24,209
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$11,870M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,100
Rent$1,350
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units123
Rent Burden40.0%

Health

Obesity27.6%
Uninsured5.7%
Smoking12.8%
Depression25.1%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F (16°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain47.1 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,401 ft (427 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.5%
High School+87.8%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute32 min
Broadband85.0%
Libraries4

Is French Gulch a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, French Gulch 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, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. French Gulch offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in French Gulch is $32,188, 57% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in French Gulch is $84,100, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,350 per month. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

French Gulch enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

French Gulch has a population of 221 with a density of 18 people per square mile. The median age is 57.8 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.8%), with 3.6% Hispanic.

Population

221
Total Population
18
People / sq mi
57.8yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
12.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%
Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

French Gulch vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.7%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.3%
23% below US avg

Social Characteristics

French Gulch vs U.S. Average

The median household income in French Gulch is $32,188, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: French Gulch vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,188
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,209
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$70,441

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,748
County GDP$11,870M

Business (County)

Restaurants430
Healthcare667
Retail615
Manufacturing133

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,628
32% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.7 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.8%

Walkability

The median home value in French Gulch is $84,100, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,350 (16% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,100
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,350
16% above US avg
Rent Burden40.0%

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-Occupied81.2%
Housing Units123
Median Year Built1981

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,628
32% above US avg
Effective Rate5.50%
In French Gulch, 27.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.7% of residents lack health insurance. 12.8% are current smokers. 25.1% report depression. 17.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: French Gulch vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.6%
14% below US avg
Diabetes8.1%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.4%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.8%
9% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.5%
Physical Inactivity17.3%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress12.5%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Uninsured5.7%
34% below US avg
Checkup Rate69.9%
Dental Visits66.4%
Premature Death10,558/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access79.3%
Healthcare Facilities667
French Gulch has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.1 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.4°F
12% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.1 inches
24% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,401 ft (427 m)
Area12.3 sq mi (31.9 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates40.7188°N, 122.6294°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06089
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36.5-point margin. 85.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 30.5%

Winner: Republican by 36.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.5%
57% below US avg
High School+87.8%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density18/sq mi
Total Area12.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities667
Restaurants430
Retail Stores615

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30
FEMA Disaster Declarations546

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.7 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.8%

Nearby Cities

Lewiston, CA 2,434 pop · 10.2 mi Shasta, CA 1,330 pop · 11.8 mi Shasta Lake, CA 10,334 pop · 13.3 mi Centerville CDP (Shasta County), CA 2,065 pop · 14.9 mi Weaverville, CA 3,198 pop · 15.8 mi Douglas City, CA 1,025 pop · 16.4 mi Redding, CA 93,268 pop · 17.2 mi Bella Vista, CA 3,843 pop · 20.1 mi Jones Valley, CA 1,212 pop · 20.3 mi Happy Valley, CA 6,046 pop · 20.7 mi Palo Cedro, CA 3,561 pop · 22.8 mi Junction City, CA 1,084 pop · 23.9 mi Anderson, CA 11,282 pop · 25.6 mi Hayfork, CA 3,198 pop · 27.7 mi
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