Lucerne Valley, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Lucerne Valley is a small city in California with a population of 5,946. Residents earn $50,330 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,946 Population 56/sq mi density
$50,330 Median Income $22,888 per capita
$240,000 Home Value $257,057 Zillow
$1,131 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$50,330 median income, 9.8% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$240,000 home value, $1,131/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,330
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $240,000
15% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,131
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.8%
172% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 29.7%
140% higher than US avg

How Lucerne Valley Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,946
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density56/mi²
Male / Female60% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 60%

Economy

D
Median Income$50,330
Per Capita$22,888
Unemployment9.8%
Poverty29.7%
County GDP$137,914M
Commute46 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$240,000
Rent$1,131
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$257,057

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain20.0 in/yr
Elevation2,961 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+76.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute46 min
EV Stations2
Libraries48

Is Lucerne Valley a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lucerne Valley is $50,330, 33% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 29.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lucerne Valley is $240,000, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,131 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lucerne Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.0 inches, including 58.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Lucerne Valley has a population of 5,946 with a density of 56 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.1%), with 5.5% Hispanic, 3.1% Black.

Population

5,946
Total Population
56
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
105.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.5%
Female 40.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lucerne Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.2%
7% below US avg
Spanish26.8%
100% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lucerne Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lucerne Valley is $50,330, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 29.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes.

Income: Lucerne Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,330
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,888
Avg Weekly Wage$1,199
IRS Avg AGI$67,148

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.8%
172% above US avg
Poverty Rate29.7%
140% above US avg
Establishments (County)77,170
County GDP$137,914M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,197
Healthcare5,144
Retail5,298
Manufacturing1,765

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,047
73% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time46.0 min
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Lucerne Valley is $240,000, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,131 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $257,057.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$240,000
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$257,057
Median List Price$330,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$330,000
$/Sq Ft$237
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio100.4%
Price Drops17.1%
Inventory35

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,131
3% 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-Occupied64.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,047
73% above US avg
Effective Rate2.52%
In Lucerne Valley, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 30.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lucerne Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.9%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity30.4%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress21.8%
Physical Distress18.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Checkup Rate68.5%
Premature Death9,378/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access86.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,144

Crime Rates: Lucerne Valley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)419
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Lucerne Valley has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 20.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall20.0 inches
47% below US avg
Snowfall58.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,961 ft (903 m)
Area105.6 sq mi (273.6 km²)
Population Density56/sq mi
Coordinates34.4427°N, 116.9021°W
County FIPS06071
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.7%
D 47.5%

Winner: Republican by 2.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+76.5%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density56/sq mi
Total Area105.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries48
Healthcare Facilities5,144
Restaurants4,197
Retail Stores5,298

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)419
FEMA Disaster Declarations455

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute46.0 min
Work from Home3.9%

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