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Potter Valley, CA

California

Potter Valley is a small town in California with a population of 611. Residents earn $79,844 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
611 Population 152/sq mi density
$79,844 Median Income $41,894 per capita
$474,300 Home Value $431,983 Zillow
$1,652 Median Rent 43.4% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$79,844 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$474,300 home value, $1,652/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,844
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $474,300
68% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,652
42% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.2%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population611
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density152/mi²
Male / Female35% / 65%
Largest GroupWhite 56%
Veterans0.5%

Economy

A+
Median Income$79,844
Per Capita$41,894
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$4,693M
Commute32 min

Housing

B
Home Value$474,300
Rent$1,652
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$431,983
Housing Units233
Rent Burden43.4%

Health

Obesity28.2%
Uninsured8.7%
Smoking12.3%
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F (15°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation939 ft (286 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+95.2%
Graduate+2.6%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 61%
Commute32 min
Broadband86.1%
Libraries7

Is Potter Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Potter Valley receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Potter Valley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Potter Valley is $79,844, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Potter Valley is $474,300, making it a premium housing market at 68% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,652 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Potter Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Potter Valley has a population of 611 with a density of 152 people per square mile. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (55.8%).

Population

611
Total Population
152
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
4.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 35.2%
Female 64.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Potter Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.6%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.4%
37% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Potter Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Potter Valley is $79,844, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Potter Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,844
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$41,894
Avg Weekly Wage$1,037
IRS Avg AGI$67,138

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,522
County GDP$4,693M

Business (County)

Restaurants336
Healthcare265
Retail403
Manufacturing123

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.9 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Potter Valley is $474,300, 68% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,652 (42% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $431,983.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$474,300
68% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$431,983
Median List Price$350,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$350,000
$/Sq Ft$274
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio92.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,652
42% above US avg
Rent Burden43.4%

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-Occupied60.1%
Housing Units233
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Effective Rate1.32%
In Potter Valley, 28.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 8.7% of residents lack health insurance. 12.3% are current smokers. 24.3% report depression. 20.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.2%
12% below US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.5%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.3%
12% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity20.5%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.1%
Short Sleep35.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Uninsured8.7%
1% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,286
Dentists1:1,247
Mental Health1:152
Checkup Rate69.7%
Dental Visits63.6%
Premature Death10,093/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access68.8%
Healthcare Facilities265
Potter Valley has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average59.1°F
9% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation939 ft (286 m)
Area4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density152/sq mi
Coordinates39.3171°N, 123.1099°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.8-point margin. 86.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.5%
D 61.3%

Winner: Democrat by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+95.2%
Graduate Degree+2.6%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density152/sq mi
Total Area4.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.1%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities265
Restaurants336
Retail Stores403

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.9 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

Redwood Valley, CA 2,117 pop · 6.0 mi Ukiah, CA 16,419 pop · 13.0 mi Willits, CA 4,945 pop · 14.1 mi Upper Lake, CA 1,204 pop · 15.2 mi Brooktrails, CA 4,394 pop · 17.5 mi Nice, CA 2,517 pop · 19.0 mi North Lakeport, CA 3,221 pop · 19.2 mi Lakeport, CA 5,085 pop · 21.7 mi Lucerne, CA 3,156 pop · 25.6 mi Kelseyville, CA 4,204 pop · 28.2 mi Clearlake Oaks, CA 2,174 pop · 31.8 mi Clearlake Riviera, CA 4,287 pop · 32.7 mi Covelo, CA 1,495 pop · 34.2 mi Clearlake, CA 16,604 pop · 35.5 mi
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