Kensington, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Kensington is a small city in California with a population of 5,292. Residents earn $209,137 per year, which is 178% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
5,292 Population 5,513/sq mi density
$209,137 Median Income $104,366 per capita
$1,412,500 Home Value $1,455,301 Zillow
$3,501 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
38 Violent Crime/100K 871 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$209,137 median income, 5.8% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$1,412,500 home value, $3,501/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
38 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
81.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $209,137
178% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,412,500
401% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 38/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 81.4%
142% higher than US avg
Median Rent $3,501
201% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 23.4%
27% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.7%
94% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,292
Median Age46.0 yrs
Density5,513/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 71%

Economy

A
Median Income$209,137
Per Capita$104,366
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty0.7%
County GDP$217,018M
Commute37 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$1,412,500
Rent$3,501
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,455,301

Crime

F
Violent38/100K
Property871/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault19/100K
Burglary303/100K

Health

Obesity23.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain26.1 in/yr
Elevation321 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+81.4%
High School+99.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute37 min
Libraries34

Is Kensington a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kensington receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. 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, above-average unemployment, long commute times. Kensington offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kensington is $209,137, which is significantly higher than the national average — 178% above $75,149. This places Kensington among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kensington is $1,412,500, making it a premium housing market at 401% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,501 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Kensington is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 38 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 871 per 100,000, 56% below the national average.

Education

Kensington is a highly educated community — 81.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Kensington enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Kensington has a population of 5,292 with a density of 5,513 people per square mile. The median age is 46.0 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (71%), with 2% Hispanic, 2.8% Black.

Population

5,292
Total Population
5,513
People / sq mi
46.0yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Kensington vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.1%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.9%
26% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Kensington vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kensington is $209,137, which is 178% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Kensington vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$209,137
178% above US avg
Per Capita Income$104,366
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
IRS Avg AGI$232,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.7%
94% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,186
County GDP$217,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,143
Healthcare2,617
Retail1,916
Manufacturing487

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.8 min
Work from Home49.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Kensington is $1,412,500, 401% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,501 (201% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,455,301.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,412,500
401% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,455,301
Median List Price$1,198,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,198,000
$/Sq Ft$805
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio136.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,501
201% above US avg

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-Occupied85.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Rate1.25%
In Kensington, 23.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 13.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity23.4%
27% below US avg
Diabetes6.4%
High Blood Pressure23.5%
Asthma9.3%
COPD2.7%
Stroke1.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity13.4%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress14.0%
Physical Distress8.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate71.6%
Premature Death4,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access99.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Kensington has a violent crime rate of 38 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 871 per 100,000 (56% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent37.9/100K
90% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape18.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault18.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property871.1/100K
56% below US avg
Burglary303.0/100K
Theft473.4/100K
Vehicle Theft94.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Kensington has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.1 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation321 ft (98 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density5,513/sq mi
Coordinates37.9051°N, 122.2842°W
County FIPS06081
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 81.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (142% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.2%
D 73.5%

Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+81.4%
142% above US avg
High School+99.2%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,513/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries34
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Restaurants2,143
Retail Stores1,916

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.8 min
Work from Home49.1%

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