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Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Full City Profile · California · Orange County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
47,257
Population
3,655/sq mi density
$146,827
Median Income
$63,535 per capita
$907,900
Home Value
$1,008,785 Zillow
$2,481
Median Rent
35.1% income on rent
67°F
Avg Temperature
330 sunny days/yr
62
Violent Crime/100K
612 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$146,827 median income, 2.9% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$907,900 home value, $2,481/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
62 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Rancho Santa Margarita enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 13.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 66.7°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Area | 12.9 sq mi (33.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,655/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.6323°N, 117.5990°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 106 km |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | — | 110 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 108 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 70 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (190 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 2.8 in | |
| February | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
Rancho Santa Margarita has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 55°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").