Laguna Woods, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Laguna Woods is a small city in California with a population of 17,342. Residents earn $60,235 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
17,342 Population 5,192/sq mi density
$60,235 Median Income $54,008 per capita
$364,900 Home Value $458,285 Zillow
$2,232 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
36 Violent Crime/100K 716 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,235 median income, 1.6% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$364,900 home value, $2,232/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
36 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,235
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $364,900
29% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 36/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.8%
54% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,232
92% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.6%
30% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.6%
39% lower than US avg

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

People

Population17,342
Median Age75.0 yrs
Density5,192/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,235
Per Capita$54,008
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty7.6%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute20 min

Housing

B
Home Value$364,900
Rent$2,232
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$458,285

Crime

F
Violent36/100K
Property716/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault18/100K
Burglary55/100K

Health

Obesity22.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.6%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation433 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.8%
High School+97.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute20 min
EV Stations10
Libraries67

Is Laguna Woods a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laguna Woods receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Laguna Woods offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laguna Woods is $60,235, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laguna Woods is $364,900, 29% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $2,232 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Laguna Woods is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 36 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 716 per 100,000, 63% below the national average.

Education

Laguna Woods is a highly educated community — 51.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Laguna Woods enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Laguna Woods has a population of 17,342 with a density of 5,192 people per square mile. The median age is 75.0 years, 93% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.1%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

17,342
Total Population
5,192
People / sq mi
75.0yrs
Median Age
93% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.2%
Female 59.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Laguna Woods vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only72.0%
8% below US avg
Spanish28.0%
109% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Laguna Woods vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laguna Woods is $60,235, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Laguna Woods vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,235
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$54,008
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.6%
39% 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 Rate2.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Laguna Woods is $364,900, 29% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,232 (92% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $458,285.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$364,900
29% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$458,285
Median List Price$450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$450,000
$/Sq Ft$436
Homes Sold37
Sale-to-List Ratio98.3%
Price Drops25.9%
Inventory189

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,232
92% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,827

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-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate2.77%
In Laguna Woods, 22.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.6% report depression. 20.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laguna Woods vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.6%
30% below US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure25.8%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity20.1%
Depression20.6%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Laguna Woods has a violent crime rate of 36 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 716 per 100,000 (63% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent36.4/100K
90% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery18.2/100K
Assault18.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property716.0/100K
63% below US avg
Burglary54.6/100K
Theft631.1/100K
Vehicle Theft30.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Laguna Woods has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation433 ft (132 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.7 km²)
Population Density5,192/sq mi
Coordinates33.6121°N, 117.7303°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 51.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% 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+51.8%
54% above US avg
High School+97.2%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,192/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations10
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 Commute20.4 min
Work from Home14.6%

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