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Mountain Center, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Mountain Center is a small town in California with a population of 50. Residents earn $43,977 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
50 Population 27/sq mi density
$43,977 Median Income $41,504 per capita
$345,500 Home Value $574,351 Zillow
55°F Avg Temperature 328 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$43,977 median income, 0.0% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$345,500 home value
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,977
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $345,500
23% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.4%
15% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population50
Median Age72.8 yrs
Density27/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans50.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$43,977
Per Capita$41,504
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$134,757M
Commute12 min

Housing

C
Home Value$345,500
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$574,351
Housing Units52
Rent Burden34.0%

Health

Obesity27.4%
Uninsured4.6%
Smoking8.8%
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain24.5 in/yr
Sunny Days328/yr
Elevation4,600 ft (1,402 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+13.6%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute12 min
Broadband43.0%
Libraries60

Is Mountain Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mountain Center receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Mountain Center has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mountain Center is $43,977, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mountain Center is $345,500, 23% above the national median. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below 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

Mountain Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 328 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 24.5 inches, including 30.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Mountain Center has a population of 50 with a density of 27 people per square mile. The median age is 72.8 years, 87% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

50
Total Population
27
People / sq mi
72.8yrs
Median Age
87% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58%
Female 42%

Race & Ethnicity

Mountain Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Mountain Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mountain Center is $43,977, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Mountain Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,977
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,504
Avg Weekly Wage$1,149
IRS Avg AGI$72,983

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)86,446
County GDP$134,757M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,533
Healthcare5,585
Retail5,636
Manufacturing1,632

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.0 min
Drive Alone71.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home28.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Mountain Center is $345,500, 23% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $574,351.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$345,500
23% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$574,351

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden34.0%

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-Occupied65.1%
Housing Units52
Median Year Built1965

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Mountain Center, 27.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 4.6% of residents lack health insurance. 8.8% are current smokers. 21.4% report depression. 15.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mountain Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.4%
15% below US avg
Diabetes7.2%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure25.4%
Asthma8.4%
COPD4.3%
Cancer6.7%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.8%
37% below US avg
Binge Drinking13.2%
Physical Inactivity15.7%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress14.7%
Physical Distress10.5%
Short Sleep28.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured4.6%
47% below US avg
Checkup Rate59.5%
Dental Visits57.4%
Premature Death7,817/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access89.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Mountain Center has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.5 inches. The area enjoys 328 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days328 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.5 inches
36% below US avg
Snowfall30.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,600 ft (1,402 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density27/sq mi
Coordinates33.7107°N, 116.7233°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06065
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.3-point margin. 43.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.3%
D 48%

Winner: Republican by 1.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+13.6%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density27/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access43.0%
Public Libraries60
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Restaurants4,533
Retail Stores5,636

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disaster Declarations910

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.0 min
Drive Alone71.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home28.6%

Nearby Cities

Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 3,762 pop · 2.4 mi Valle Vista, CA 19,263 pop · 9.8 mi Anza, CA 1,842 pop · 10.4 mi Palm Springs, CA 44,998 pop · 12.4 mi East Hemet, CA 20,292 pop · 12.6 mi Sage, CA 3,474 pop · 13.4 mi Lake Riverside, CA 1,445 pop · 14.2 mi Cabazon, CA 2,010 pop · 14.4 mi Whitewater, CA 1,254 pop · 15.7 mi Hemet, CA 90,646 pop · 15.8 mi San Jacinto, CA 54,756 pop · 16.8 mi Rancho Mirage, CA 17,375 pop · 17.2 mi Cathedral City, CA 52,047 pop · 17.3 mi Beaumont, CA 54,817 pop · 17.5 mi
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