Gardena, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Gardena is a mid-size city in California with a population of 59,765. Residents earn $79,291 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
59,765 Population 10,251/sq mi density
$79,291 Median Income $35,807 per capita
$667,600 Home Value $782,112 Zillow
$1,761 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
458 Violent Crime/100K 2,306 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$79,291 median income, 3.4% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$667,600 home value, $1,761/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
458 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,291
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $667,600
137% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 458/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.0%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,761
51% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.8%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

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

People

Population59,765
Median Age39.8 yrs
Density10,251/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 14%

Economy

A
Median Income$79,291
Per Capita$35,807
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute29 min

Housing

D
Home Value$667,600
Rent$1,761
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$782,112

Crime

F
Violent458/100K
Property2,306/100K
Murder1.7/100K
Assault168/100K
Burglary556/100K

Health

Obesity25.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.5%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.8 in/yr
Elevation59 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.0%
High School+81.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute29 min
EV Stations17
Libraries258

Is Gardena a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gardena receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Gardena has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gardena is $79,291, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gardena is $667,600, making it a premium housing market at 137% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,761 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 458 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,306 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Gardena enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Gardena has a population of 59,765 with a density of 10,251 people per square mile. The median age is 39.8 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (18.9%), with 14.2% White, 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

59,765
Total Population
10,251
People / sq mi
39.8yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
5.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Gardena vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only45.2%
42% below US avg
Spanish54.8%
309% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Gardena vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gardena is $79,291, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Gardena vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,291
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,807
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)572,385
County GDP$1,002,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants24,882
Healthcare37,635
Retail29,130
Manufacturing10,448

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.6 min
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Gardena is $667,600, 137% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,761 (51% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $782,112.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$667,600
137% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$782,112
Median List Price$839,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$839,000
$/Sq Ft$469
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio101.3%
Price Drops19.4%
Inventory62

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,761
51% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,373

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-Occupied48.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.57%
In Gardena, 25.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 17.5% report depression. 26.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.8%
20% below US avg
Diabetes12.3%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma9.2%
COPD4.2%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.1%
Physical Inactivity26.6%
Depression17.5%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.5%
Checkup Rate71.9%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Gardena has a violent crime rate of 458 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,306 per 100,000 (18% above US avg). The murder rate is 1.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent458.2/100K
21% above US avg
Murder1.7/100K
74% below US avg
Rape16.6/100K
Robbery272.3/100K
Assault167.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,306.0/100K
18% above US avg
Burglary556.2/100K
Theft1,303.3/100K
Vehicle Theft446.6/100K
Arson13.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disasters1,001

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Gardena has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.8 inches
69% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation59 ft (18 m)
Area5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²)
Population Density10,251/sq mi
Coordinates33.8944°N, 118.3075°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.9%
D 64.8%

Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.0%
17% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density10,251/sq mi
Total Area5.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations17
Alt Fuel Stations27
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.6 min
Work from Home8.8%

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