Choose Country

Mendocino, CA

California

Mendocino is a small town in California with a population of 630. Residents earn $67,115 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
630 Population 279/sq mi density
$67,115 Median Income $47,723 per capita
$540,500 Home Value $921,968 Zillow
$1,402 Median Rent 25.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$67,115 median income, 5.2% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.1 / 5.0
$540,500 home value, $1,402/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
60.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,115
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $540,500
92% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 60.8%
80% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,402
21% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.3%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.2%
44% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population630
Median Age68.3 yrs
Density279/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans6.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$67,115
Per Capita$47,723
Unemployment5.2%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$4,693M
Commute47 min

Housing

C
Home Value$540,500
Rent$1,402
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$921,968
Housing Units574
Rent Burden25.9%

Health

Obesity26.3%
Uninsured6.0%
Smoking11.6%
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain43.2 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation271 ft (83 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+60.8%
High School+99.4%
Graduate+49.7%
School Score3.77

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 61%
Commute47 min
Broadband93.6%
EV Stations7
Libraries7

Is Mendocino a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mendocino receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, long commute times. Mendocino offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mendocino is $67,115, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mendocino is $540,500, making it a premium housing market at 92% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,402 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Mendocino is a highly educated community — 60.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.4% have completed high school. School test scores average 3.8/10, below typical benchmarks.

Climate & Weather

Mendocino experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Mendocino has a population of 630 with a density of 279 people per square mile. The median age is 68.3 years, 76% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%).

Population

630
Total Population
279
People / sq mi
68.3yrs
Median Age
76% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59%
Female 41%

Race & Ethnicity

Mendocino vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.8%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.2%
31% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mendocino vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mendocino is $67,115, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 47 minutes.

Income: Mendocino vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,115
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$47,723
Avg Weekly Wage$1,037
IRS Avg AGI$67,138

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.2%
44% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,522
County GDP$4,693M

Business (County)

Restaurants336
Healthcare265
Retail403
Manufacturing123

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time47.2 min
Drive Alone74.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Mendocino is $540,500, 92% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,402 (21% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $921,968.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$540,500
92% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$921,968
Median List Price$535,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$535,000
$/Sq Ft$453
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,402
21% above US avg
Rent Burden25.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,269
1 Bedroom$1,306
2 Bedrooms$1,713
3 Bedrooms$2,382
4 Bedrooms$2,789

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.4%
Housing Units574
Median Year Built1984

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Effective Rate1.16%
In Mendocino, 26.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.0% of residents lack health insurance. 11.6% are current smokers. 25.5% report depression. 17.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mendocino vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.3%
18% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.3%
Asthma10.9%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking11.6%
17% below US avg
Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity17.8%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress12.3%
Short Sleep33.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.8%
Uninsured6.0%
30% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,286
Dentists1:1,247
Mental Health1:152
Checkup Rate70.3%
Dental Visits70.5%
Premature Death10,093/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access68.8%
Healthcare Facilities265
Mendocino has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.2 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average57°F (14°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.2 inches
14% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %66.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation271 ft (83 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density279/sq mi
Coordinates39.3125°N, 123.7924°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 60.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.8-point margin. 93.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.5%
D 61.3%

Winner: Democrat by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+60.8%
80% above US avg
High School+99.4%
Graduate Degree+49.7%
School Test Score3.77
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density279/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.6%
EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities265
Restaurants336
Retail Stores403

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute47.2 min
Drive Alone74.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Fort Bragg, CA 7,001 pop · 8.8 mi Brooktrails, CA 4,394 pop · 23.1 mi Willits, CA 4,945 pop · 24.5 mi Redwood Valley, CA 2,117 pop · 31.7 mi Ukiah, CA 16,419 pop · 33.2 mi Covelo, CA 1,495 pop · 44.3 mi Sea Ranch, CA 1,200 pop · 44.4 mi Upper Lake, CA 1,204 pop · 48.6 mi North Lakeport, CA 3,221 pop · 49.8 mi Lakeport, CA 5,085 pop · 50.3 mi Nice, CA 2,517 pop · 51.8 mi Garberville, CA 1,568 pop · 54.4 mi Cloverdale, CA 8,933 pop · 55.0 mi Redway, CA 1,276 pop · 55.8 mi
Compare Mendocino with another city: