Lake Isabella, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Lake Isabella is a small town in California with a population of 3,654. Residents earn $26,763 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,654 Population 168/sq mi density
$26,763 Median Income $15,239 per capita
$112,200 Home Value $217,739 Zillow
$1,138 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$26,763 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$112,200 home value, $1,138/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,763
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $112,200
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.7%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,138
2% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.8%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 33.2%
168% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,654
Median Age36.9 yrs
Density168/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

C
Median Income$26,763
Per Capita$15,239
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty33.2%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$112,200
Rent$1,138
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$217,739

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.4%
Heart Disease10.0%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI48 (Good)
Elevation2,493 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.7%
High School+91.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute25 min
EV Stations1
Libraries28

Is Lake Isabella a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Isabella receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Lake Isabella has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Isabella is $26,763, 64% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 33.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Isabella is $112,200, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,138 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Isabella enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lake Isabella has a population of 3,654 with a density of 168 people per square mile. The median age is 36.9 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.4%), with 8% Hispanic.

Population

3,654
Total Population
168
People / sq mi
36.9yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
21.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Isabella vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.2%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.8%
42% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Isabella vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Isabella is $26,763, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 33.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Lake Isabella vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,763
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,239
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate33.2%
168% above US avg
Establishments (County)27,950
County GDP$63,070M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,569
Healthcare1,838
Retail2,004
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home3.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Isabella is $112,200, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,138 (2% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $217,739.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,200
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$217,739
Median List Price$229,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$229,900
$/Sq Ft$347
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,138
2% below 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-Occupied61.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate4.71%
In Lake Isabella, 43.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.4% report depression. 40.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.8%
36% above US avg
Diabetes17.1%
Heart Disease10.0%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma13.2%
COPD14.5%
Stroke5.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity40.8%
Depression31.4%
Mental Distress27.6%
Physical Distress22.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate71.2%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disasters273

Safety Score

Lake Isabella has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,493 ft (760 m)
Area21.7 sq mi (56.2 km²)
Population Density168/sq mi
Coordinates35.6371°N, 118.4826°W
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 38.2%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.7%
77% below US avg
High School+91.9%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density168/sq mi
Total Area21.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home3.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Lake Isabella with another city: