Penn Valley, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Penn Valley is a small town in California with a population of 1,197. Residents earn $62,966 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,197 Population 565/sq mi density
$62,966 Median Income $41,127 per capita
$530,100 Home Value $506,170 Zillow
$1,608 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$62,966 median income, 0.0% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$530,100 home value, $1,608/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,966
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $530,100
88% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.8%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,608
38% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.4%
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.4%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,197
Median Age52.7 yrs
Density565/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,966
Per Capita$41,127
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty2.4%
County GDP$4,508M
Commute57 min

Housing

D
Home Value$530,100
Rent$1,608
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$506,170

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity29.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain53.2 in/yr
Elevation1,447 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.8%
High School+93.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 36%
Commute57 min
Libraries1

Is Penn Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Penn Valley receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Penn Valley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Penn Valley is $62,966, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Penn Valley is $530,100, making it a premium housing market at 88% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,608 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Penn Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.2 inches, including 8.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Penn Valley has a population of 1,197 with a density of 565 people per square mile. The median age is 52.7 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.8%).

Population

1,197
Total Population
565
People / sq mi
52.7yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Penn Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Penn Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Penn Valley is $62,966, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes.

Income: Penn Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,966
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,127
Avg Weekly Wage$1,287
IRS Avg AGI$62,831

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.4%
81% 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 Rate0.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time57.2 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Penn Valley is $530,100, 88% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,608 (38% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $506,170.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$530,100
88% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$506,170
Median List Price$450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$450,000
$/Sq Ft$254
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,608
38% 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-Occupied63.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Rate0.89%
In Penn Valley, 29.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 20.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Penn Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.4%
8% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity20.5%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death9,988/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access83.9%
Healthcare Facilities86

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Penn Valley has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.2 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall8.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,447 ft (441 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density565/sq mi
Coordinates39.1953°N, 121.1942°W
County FIPS06115
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 25.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.8%
47% below US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density565/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities86
Restaurants95
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute57.2 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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