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Lee Vining, CA

California

Lee Vining is a small town in California with a population of 557. Residents earn $129,407 per year, which is 72% above the national average.

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
557 Population 107/sq mi density
$129,407 Median Income $27,883 per capita
$423,700 Home Value $487,818 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$129,407 median income, 10.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$423,700 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
72.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $129,407
72% higher than US avg
Home Value $423,700
50% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 72.7%
116% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.1%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.0%
178% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population557
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density107/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$129,407
Per Capita$27,883
Unemployment10.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,036M
Commute7 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$423,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$487,818
Housing Units149
Rent Burden34.3%

Health

Obesity33.1%
Uninsured12.4%
Smoking11.3%
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.1 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation6,856 ft (2,090 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+72.7%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+27.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute7 min
Broadband100.0%
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is Lee Vining a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lee Vining receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate. Lee Vining stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lee Vining is $129,407, which is significantly higher than the national average — 72% above $75,149. This places Lee Vining among higher-income communities. At 10.0%, unemployment is notably high. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 7 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lee Vining is $423,700, 50% above the national median. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Lee Vining is a highly educated community — 72.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lee Vining experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 15.1 inches, including 69.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lee Vining has a population of 557 with a density of 107 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.3%).

Population

557
Total Population
107
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
5.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.9%
Female 43.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lee Vining vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lee Vining vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lee Vining is $129,407, which is 72% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 7 minutes.

Income: Lee Vining vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$129,407
72% above US avg
Per Capita Income$27,883
Avg Weekly Wage$1,008
IRS Avg AGI$66,082

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.0%
178% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)643
County GDP$1,036M

Business (County)

Restaurants53
Healthcare37
Retail38
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,157
19% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time7.0 min
Drive Alone0.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home52.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lee Vining is $423,700, 50% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $487,818.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$423,700
50% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$487,818

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden34.3%

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-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units149
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,157
19% above US avg
Effective Rate0.98%
In Lee Vining, 33.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 12.4% of residents lack health insurance. 11.3% are current smokers. 22.3% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lee Vining vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.1%
3% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma10.0%
COPD4.9%
Cancer6.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking11.3%
19% below US avg
Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress13.5%
Short Sleep34.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured12.4%
44% above US avg
Checkup Rate70.9%
Dental Visits63.3%
Premature Death9,759/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access44.8%
Healthcare Facilities37
Lee Vining has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.1 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.1 inches
60% below US avg
Snowfall69.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,856 ft (2,090 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²)
Population Density107/sq mi
Coordinates37.9549°N, 119.1220°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06043
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 72.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (116% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin. 100.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.2%
D 38.1%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+72.7%
116% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+27.4%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density107/sq mi
Total Area5.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access100.0%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities37
Restaurants53
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute7.0 min
Drive Alone0.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home52.8%

Nearby Cities

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