Occidental, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Occidental is a small town in California with a population of 1,162. Residents earn $104,044 per year, which is 38% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,162 Population 234/sq mi density
$104,044 Median Income $93,698 per capita
$1,204,000 Home Value $1,022,616 Zillow
$1,535 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$104,044 median income, 2.7% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,204,000 home value, $1,535/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
67.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $104,044
38% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,204,000
327% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 67.2%
99% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,535
32% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.2%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,162
Median Age50.9 yrs
Density234/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

A+
Median Income$104,044
Per Capita$93,698
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$39,448M
Commute41 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,204,000
Rent$1,535
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,022,616

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain53.8 in/yr
Elevation763 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+67.2%
High School+97.7%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 25% / D 71%
Commute41 min
EV Stations1
Libraries16

Is Occidental a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Occidental receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Occidental offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Occidental is $104,044, which is significantly higher than the national average — 38% above $75,149. This places Occidental among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Occidental is $1,204,000, making it a premium housing market at 327% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,535 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 11.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Occidental is a highly educated community — 67.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Occidental enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Occidental has a population of 1,162 with a density of 234 people per square mile. The median age is 50.9 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.7%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

1,162
Total Population
234
People / sq mi
50.9yrs
Median Age
31% above US avg
5.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Occidental vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.3%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.7%
20% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Occidental vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Occidental is $104,044, which is 38% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes.

Income: Occidental vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$104,044
38% above US avg
Per Capita Income$93,698
Avg Weekly Wage$1,373
IRS Avg AGI$104,542

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)21,652
County GDP$39,448M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,311
Healthcare1,623
Retail1,675
Manufacturing922

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,415
140% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.70%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time41.2 min
Work from Home59.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Occidental is $1,204,000, 327% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,535 (32% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,022,616.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,204,000
327% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,022,616
Median List Price$1,110,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,110,000
$/Sq Ft$648
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio96.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,535
32% above 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-Occupied65.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,415
140% above US avg
Effective Rate0.70%
In Occidental, 24.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.5% report depression. 15.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.2%
25% below US avg
Diabetes7.1%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure25.2%
Asthma10.2%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity15.1%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate70.4%
Premature Death5,997/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access93.4%
Healthcare Facilities1,623

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)38
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Occidental has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average57.6°F
7% above US avg
January Average49°F (10°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.8 inches
42% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation763 ft (233 m)
Area5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²)
Population Density234/sq mi
Coordinates38.4004°N, 122.9349°W
County FIPS06097
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 67.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (99% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 46.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 25.2%
D 71.4%

Winner: Democrat by 46.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+67.2%
99% above US avg
High School+97.7%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density234/sq mi
Total Area5.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities1,623
Restaurants1,311
Retail Stores1,675

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)38
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute41.2 min
Work from Home59.9%

Nearby Cities

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