Pala, CA
Full City Profile · California · Orange County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
924
Population
166/sq mi density
$90,938
Median Income
$36,142 per capita
$265,000
Home Value
$889,752 Zillow
$1,235
Median Rent
27.9% income on rent
65°F
Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$90,938 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$265,000 home value, $1,235/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Pala enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.3 inches. The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 65.1°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 398 ft (121 m) |
| Area | 5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.3639°N, 117.0678°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Diego International (SAN) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 54.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 32.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 16 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0440 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 18.4 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.35 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.7 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | - | 75 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 126 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (136 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 136 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 71°F (21°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 in |
Pala has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 57°F in February to 76°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.7") and July the driest (0.1").