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Rail Road Flat, CA

California

Rail Road Flat is a small town in California with a population of 696. Residents earn $85,656 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
696 Population 40/sq mi density
$85,656 Median Income $31,993 per capita
$366,900 Home Value
$743 Median Rent 13.2% income on rent
61°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$85,656 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$366,900 home value, $743/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $85,656
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $366,900
30% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.5%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $743
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.9%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.8%
60% higher than US avg

How Rail Road Flat Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population696
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density40/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 74%
Veterans51.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$85,656
Per Capita$31,993
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty19.8%
County GDP$2,112M
Commute45 min

Housing

A
Home Value$366,900
Rent$743
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units193
Rent Burden13.2%

Health

Obesity32.9%
Uninsured8.4%
Smoking18.7%
Depression28.8%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F (16°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain32.0 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation2,746 ft (837 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.5%
High School+96.5%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute45 min
Broadband51.0%
Libraries5

Is Rail Road Flat a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rail Road Flat 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, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, long commute times. Rail Road Flat offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rail Road Flat is $85,656, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 45 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rail Road Flat is $366,900, 30% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $743 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rail Road Flat enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Rail Road Flat has a population of 696 with a density of 40 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (73.7%), with 9.6% Hispanic.

Population

696
Total Population
40
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
17.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Rail Road Flat vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rail Road Flat vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rail Road Flat is $85,656, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 45 minutes.

Income: Rail Road Flat vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$85,656
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$31,993
Avg Weekly Wage$1,127
IRS Avg AGI$79,740

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.8%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,348
County GDP$2,112M

Business (County)

Restaurants101
Healthcare107
Retail126
Manufacturing55

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,981
42% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time44.6 min
Drive Alone54.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home21.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Rail Road Flat is $366,900, 30% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $743 (36% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$366,900
30% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$743
36% below US avg
Rent Burden13.2%

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-Occupied87.4%
Housing Units193
Median Year Built1988

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,981
42% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Rail Road Flat, 32.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.4% of residents lack health insurance. 18.7% are current smokers. 28.8% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rail Road Flat vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.9%
2% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma11.9%
COPD8.5%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.7%
34% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress22.8%
Physical Distress16.6%
Short Sleep37.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured8.4%
2% below US avg
Checkup Rate70.5%
Dental Visits54.5%
Premature Death7,567/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access60.3%
Healthcare Facilities107
Rail Road Flat has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.0 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.0°F
13% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.0 inches
16% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,746 ft (837 m)
Area17.4 sq mi (45.0 km²)
Population Density40/sq mi
Coordinates38.3356°N, 120.5501°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.8-point margin. 51.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.6%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 27.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.5%
33% below US avg
High School+96.5%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density40/sq mi
Total Area17.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access51.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities107
Restaurants101
Retail Stores126

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute44.6 min
Drive Alone54.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home21.3%

Nearby Cities

Red Corral, CA 1,263 pop · 6.1 mi Pioneer, CA 1,210 pop · 7.1 mi Pine Grove, CA 3,310 pop · 7.4 mi Buckhorn, CA 3,506 pop · 8.3 mi Mokelumne Hill, CA 1,049 pop · 8.6 mi San Andreas, CA 2,884 pop · 11.9 mi Jackson, CA 5,061 pop · 12.1 mi Arnold, CA 2,276 pop · 12.4 mi Forest Meadows, CA 1,485 pop · 14.0 mi Sutter Creek, CA 2,687 pop · 14.0 mi Murphys, CA 1,821 pop · 14.9 mi Angels, CA 3,721 pop · 18.3 mi Plymouth, CA 1,250 pop · 19.1 mi Grizzly Flats, CA 1,387 pop · 20.8 mi
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