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Nevada City, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Nevada City is a small town in California with a population of 3,168. Residents earn $69,552 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,168 Population 1,408/sq mi density
$69,552 Median Income $42,845 per capita
$607,300 Home Value $537,507 Zillow
$1,756 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
1,178 Violent Crime/100K 3,110 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$69,552 median income, 0.0% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.7 / 5.0
$607,300 home value, $1,756/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,178 violent crimes/100K (210% above avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
39.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,552
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $607,300
115% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 1,178/100K
210% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.0%
16% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,756
51% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.5%
17% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,168
Median Age49.4 yrs
Density1,408/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$69,552
Per Capita$42,845
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$4,508M
Commute29 min

Housing

D
Home Value$607,300
Rent$1,756
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$537,507
Housing Units1,550
Rent Burden26.3%

Crime

F
Violent1,178/100K
Property3,110/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault1,113/100K
Burglary1,178/100K

Health

Obesity26.5%
Uninsured5.2%
Smoking9.8%
Depression24.4%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain62.3 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation2,392 ft (729 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.0%
High School+96.5%
Graduate+20.3%
School Score5.22

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 36%
Commute29 min
Broadband93.2%
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Nevada City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nevada City receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Nevada City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nevada City is $69,552, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nevada City is $607,300, making it a premium housing market at 115% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,756 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 1,178 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 3,110 per 100,000, 59% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Nevada City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 62.3 inches, including 14.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Nevada City has a population of 3,168 with a density of 1,408 people per square mile. The median age is 49.4 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

3,168
Total Population
1,408
People / sq mi
49.4yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Nevada City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.5%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.5%
14% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Nevada City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nevada City is $69,552, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Nevada City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,552
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,845
Avg Weekly Wage$1,287
IRS Avg AGI$62,831

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,146
County GDP$4,508M

Business (County)

Restaurants95
Healthcare86
Retail134
Manufacturing41

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.5 min
Drive Alone58.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home31.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Nevada City is $607,300, 115% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,756 (51% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $537,507.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$607,300
115% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$537,507
Median List Price$795,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$795,000
$/Sq Ft$369
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory9

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,756
51% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,194
Rent Burden26.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,373
1 Bedroom$1,382
2 Bedrooms$1,813
3 Bedrooms$2,521
4 Bedrooms$3,041

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%
Housing Units1,550
Median Year Built1962

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Rate0.78%
In Nevada City, 26.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.2% of residents lack health insurance. 9.8% are current smokers. 24.4% report depression. 15.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.5%
17% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
High Blood Pressure27.2%
Asthma10.2%
COPD4.5%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking9.8%
30% below US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity15.7%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.2%
Short Sleep31.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.8%
Uninsured5.2%
40% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.7%
Dental Visits70.4%
Premature Death9,988/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access83.9%
Healthcare Facilities86
Nevada City has a violent crime rate of 1,178 per 100,000 residents, 210% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,110 per 100,000 (59% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,178.4/100K
210% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape32.7/100K
Robbery32.7/100K
Assault1,112.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,109.7/100K
59% above US avg
Burglary1,178.4/100K
Theft1,571.2/100K
Vehicle Theft360.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Nevada City has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 62.3 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.2°F
4% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall62.3 inches
64% above US avg
Snowfall14.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood
Good Days %85.8%
Unhealthy Days2

Geography

Elevation2,392 ft (729 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.8 km²)
Population Density1,408/sq mi
Coordinates39.2596°N, 121.0333°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06115
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 39.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.8-point margin. 93.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 25.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+39.0%
16% above US avg
High School+96.5%
Graduate Degree+20.3%
School Test Score5.22
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,408/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.2%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities86
Restaurants95
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.5 min
Drive Alone58.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home31.2%

Nearby Cities

Grass Valley, CA 14,126 pop · 2.9 mi Lake Wildwood, CA 4,967 pop · 9.0 mi Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County), CA 7,061 pop · 9.3 mi Penn Valley, CA 1,197 pop · 9.7 mi Colfax, CA 2,095 pop · 12.2 mi Lake of the Pines, CA 5,012 pop · 15.3 mi Meadow Vista, CA 3,343 pop · 17.8 mi Beale AFB, CA 1,174 pop · 20.0 mi Loma Rica, CA 2,371 pop · 20.3 mi Foresthill, CA 1,455 pop · 20.6 mi North Auburn, CA 13,833 pop · 22.9 mi Wheatland, CA 3,790 pop · 24.8 mi Auburn, CA 13,758 pop · 25.3 mi Auburn Lake Trails, CA 3,861 pop · 26.0 mi
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