Lancaster, CA

Full City Profile · California · Los Angeles County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
170,013 Population 1,803/sq mi density
$76,083 Median Income $29,766 per capita
$409,100 Home Value $461,962 Zillow
$1,696 Median Rent 35.1% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
835 Violent Crime/100K 1,953 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$76,083 median income, 7.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$409,100 home value, $1,696/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
835 violent crimes/100K (120% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Lancaster, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$76,083
1% above
$29,766 per capita
Home Value
$409,100
45% above
Zillow: $461,962
Median Rent
$1,696/mo
46% above
35.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
835/100K
120% above
1,953/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%
40% below
82.0% high school+
Unemployment
7.1%
97% above
12.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.7%
4% below
14.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
62°F

How Lancaster Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Lancaster's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
101%
Home Value
145%
Rent
146%
Poverty
99%
Bachelor's
60%
Unemployment
197%
Crime
220%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Lancaster a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Lancaster residents earn a median household income of $76,083 , which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $29,766. The unemployment rate stands at 7.1% (97% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 572,385 business establishments, including 24,882 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Lancaster is $409,100 , 45% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $461,962. Median rent is $1,696/month, with 35.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1985.

Safety & Crime

Lancaster reports 835 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 120% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,953/100K. The murder rate is 17.7/100K.

Education

20.1% of adults in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below the national average). 82.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Lancaster has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.8 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 80.

Data Overview

People

Population170,013
Median Age34.2 yrs
Density1,803/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Foreign Born13.9%
Veterans5.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$76,083
Per Capita$29,766
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607

Housing

B+
Home Value$409,100
Rent$1,696
Ownership58.4%
Zillow$461,962
Housing Units55,252
Rent Burden35.1%

Crime

F
Violent835/100K
Property1,953/100K
Murder17.7/100K
Assault598/100K
Burglary385/100K

Health

Obesity30.7%
Diabetes12.6%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
Rain6.8 in/yr
AQI80 (Moderate)
Elevation2,333 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+82.0%
Graduate+7.5%
School Score4.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute32 min
Broadband90.3%
Internet Speed146 Mbps
EV Stations50
Libraries258

Did You Know?

Lancaster was founded in 1977.
The median home in Lancaster was built in 1985.
The nearest airport is Bob Hope (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.498 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very High" by FEMA.
11.9% of the population has a disability.
13.9% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 146 Mbps.
There are 24,882 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 817 fatal vehicle crashes.
1,001 declared natural disasters on record.