Mendota, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Mendota is a small city in California with a population of 12,554. Residents earn $46,458 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
12,554 Population 3,804/sq mi density
$46,458 Median Income $14,474 per capita
$250,400 Home Value $319,955 Zillow
$874 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
627 Violent Crime/100K 2,500 property/100K
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$46,458 median income, 7.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$250,400 home value, $874/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
627 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,458
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $250,400
11% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 627/100K
65% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.5%
87% lower than US avg
Median Rent $874
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.8%
46% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.1%
97% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.9%
133% higher than US avg

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

People

Population12,554
Median Age24.9 yrs
Density3,804/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 24%

Economy

C
Median Income$46,458
Per Capita$14,474
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty28.9%
County GDP$13,282M
Commute35 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$250,400
Rent$874
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$319,955

Crime

F
Violent627/100K
Property2,500/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault488/100K
Burglary375/100K

Health

Obesity46.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease8.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain10.8 in/yr
Elevation166 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.5%
High School+39.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute35 min
EV Stations10
Libraries13

Is Mendota a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mendota receives an overall livability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Mendota has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mendota is $46,458, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 28.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mendota is $250,400, 11% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $874 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 627 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,500 per 100,000, 28% above the national average.

Education

4.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 39.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Mendota enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Mendota has a population of 12,554 with a density of 3,804 people per square mile. The median age is 24.9 years, 36% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (23.8%).

Population

12,554
Total Population
3,804
People / sq mi
24.9yrs
Median Age
36% below US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Mendota vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only12.7%
84% below US avg
Spanish87.3%
551% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Mendota vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mendota is $46,458, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 28.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Mendota vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,458
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$14,474
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$57,281

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.1%
97% above US avg
Poverty Rate28.9%
133% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,584
County GDP$13,282M

Business (County)

Restaurants403
Healthcare479
Retail547
Manufacturing116

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.5 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Mendota is $250,400, 11% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $874 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $319,955.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$250,400
11% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$319,955

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$874
25% 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-Occupied47.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Rate1.84%
In Mendota, 46.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 48.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.8%
46% above US avg
Diabetes19.4%
Heart Disease8.7%
High Blood Pressure36.2%
Asthma10.0%
COPD7.9%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.9%
Physical Inactivity48.6%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress22.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.6%
Checkup Rate67.3%
Premature Death8,849/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities479
Mendota has a violent crime rate of 627 per 100,000 residents, 65% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,500 per 100,000 (28% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent627.2/100K
65% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape8.7/100K
Robbery130.7/100K
Assault487.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,500.0/100K
28% above US avg
Burglary374.6/100K
Theft1,472.1/100K
Vehicle Theft653.3/100K
Arson191.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Mendota has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.3°F
17% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.8 inches
72% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation166 ft (51 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density3,804/sq mi
Coordinates36.7576°N, 120.3805°W
County FIPS06047
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 4.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (87% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.9%
D 46.5%

Winner: Republican by 4.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.5%
87% below US avg
High School+39.3%
School Test Score4.69
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,804/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities479
Restaurants403
Retail Stores547

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.5 min
Work from Home5.8%

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