Lake Elsinore, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Lake Elsinore is a mid-size city in California with a population of 71,516. Residents earn $96,527 per year, which is 28% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
71,516 Population 1,869/sq mi density
$96,527 Median Income $34,572 per capita
$505,700 Home Value $582,471 Zillow
$1,915 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
218 Violent Crime/100K 2,833 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$96,527 median income, 4.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$505,700 home value, $1,915/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
218 violent crimes/100K (43% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
23.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $96,527
28% higher than US avg
Home Value $505,700
79% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 218/100K
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.0%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,915
65% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population71,516
Median Age33.4 yrs
Density1,869/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 43%

Economy

A+
Median Income$96,527
Per Capita$34,572
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute42 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$505,700
Rent$1,915
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$582,471

Crime

F
Violent218/100K
Property2,833/100K
Murder1.7/100K
Assault118/100K
Burglary690/100K

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.7 in/yr
Elevation1,276 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.0%
High School+82.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute42 min
EV Stations16
Libraries67

Is Lake Elsinore a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Elsinore receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Lake Elsinore offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Elsinore is $96,527, 28% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Elsinore is $505,700, making it a premium housing market at 79% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,915 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Lake Elsinore is below the national average at 218 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,833 per 100,000, 45% above the national average.

Education

23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Elsinore enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lake Elsinore has a population of 71,516 with a density of 1,869 people per square mile. The median age is 33.4 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (43%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 5.9% Black.

Population

71,516
Total Population
1,869
People / sq mi
33.4yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
38.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Elsinore vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only56.7%
28% below US avg
Spanish43.3%
223% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Elsinore vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Elsinore is $96,527, which is 28% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Lake Elsinore vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$96,527
28% above US avg
Per Capita Income$34,572
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% 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 Rate2.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.2 min
Work from Home11.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Elsinore is $505,700, 79% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,915 (65% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $582,471.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$505,700
79% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$582,471
Median List Price$599,943

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$599,943
$/Sq Ft$288
Homes Sold46
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops22.4%
Inventory170

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,915
65% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,509

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-Occupied71.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate2.00%
In Lake Elsinore, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake Elsinore vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.1%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate70.5%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Lake Elsinore has a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, 43% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,833 per 100,000 (45% above US avg). The murder rate is 1.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent218.2/100K
43% below US avg
Murder1.7/100K
73% below US avg
Rape10.2/100K
Robbery88.6/100K
Assault117.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,833.0/100K
45% above US avg
Burglary690.4/100K
Theft1,757.4/100K
Vehicle Theft385.2/100K
Arson5.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lake Elsinore has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.7 inches
69% below US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,276 ft (389 m)
Area38.3 sq mi (99.1 km²)
Population Density1,869/sq mi
Coordinates33.6860°N, 117.3354°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below 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+23.0%
32% below US avg
High School+82.9%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,869/sq mi
Total Area38.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations16
Alt Fuel Stations28
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 Commute42.2 min
Work from Home11.8%

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