National City, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

National City is a mid-size city in California with a population of 55,960. Residents earn $64,248 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
55,960 Population 7,614/sq mi density
$64,248 Median Income $27,073 per capita
$580,900 Home Value $678,507 Zillow
$1,619 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
444 Violent Crime/100K 2,643 property/100K
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$64,248 median income, 4.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.5 / 5.0
$580,900 home value, $1,619/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
444 violent crimes/100K (17% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
16.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,248
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $580,900
106% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 444/100K
17% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.9%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,619
39% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.5%
11% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.6%
2% higher than US avg

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

People

Population55,960
Median Age36.6 yrs
Density7,614/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 33%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,248
Per Capita$27,073
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty12.6%
County GDP$331,868M
Commute26 min

Housing

D
Home Value$580,900
Rent$1,619
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$678,507

Crime

F
Violent444/100K
Property2,643/100K
Murder3.3/100K
Assault239/100K
Burglary396/100K

Health

Obesity28.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.2%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain9.2 in/yr
Elevation52 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.9%
High School+76.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute26 min
EV Stations39
Libraries88

Is National City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, National City receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. National City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in National City is $64,248, 15% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in National City is $580,900, making it a premium housing market at 106% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,619 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 444 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,643 per 100,000, 35% above the national average.

Education

16.9% 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

National City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

National City has a population of 55,960 with a density of 7,614 people per square mile. The median age is 36.6 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (32.5%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 4.4% Black.

Population

55,960
Total Population
7,614
People / sq mi
36.6yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
7.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

National City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only29.2%
63% below US avg
Spanish70.8%
428% above US avg

Social Characteristics

National City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in National City is $64,248, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: National City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,248
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,073
Avg Weekly Wage$1,593
IRS Avg AGI$104,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.6%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)133,031
County GDP$331,868M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,243
Healthcare11,184
Retail9,270
Manufacturing2,955

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in National City is $580,900, 106% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,619 (39% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $678,507.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$580,900
106% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$678,507
Median List Price$824,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$824,500
$/Sq Ft$532
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio101.6%
Price Drops31.6%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,619
39% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,533

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-Occupied34.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Rate1.58%
In National City, 28.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.2% report depression. 30.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: National City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.5%
11% below US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma8.6%
COPD4.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.5%
Physical Inactivity30.5%
Depression19.2%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.6%
Checkup Rate70.8%
Premature Death5,727/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access97.5%
Healthcare Facilities11,184
National City has a violent crime rate of 444 per 100,000 residents, 17% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,643 per 100,000 (35% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent444.0/100K
17% above US avg
Murder3.3/100K
47% below US avg
Rape26.6/100K
Robbery174.6/100K
Assault239.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,642.6/100K
35% above US avg
Burglary395.8/100K
Theft1,553.3/100K
Vehicle Theft693.5/100K
Arson15.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
National City has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 9.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.3°F
17% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall9.2 inches
76% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation52 ft (16 m)
Area7.4 sq mi (19.0 km²)
Population Density7,614/sq mi
Coordinates32.6659°N, 117.0974°W
County FIPS06073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.2%
D 56.9%

Winner: Democrat by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.9%
50% below US avg
High School+76.5%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density7,614/sq mi
Total Area7.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations39
Alt Fuel Stations43
Public Libraries88
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Restaurants8,243
Retail Stores9,270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

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