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Rough and Ready, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Rough and Ready is a small town in California with a population of 659. Residents earn $100,417 per year, which is 34% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
659 Population 208/sq mi density
$100,417 Median Income $40,496 per capita
$659,900 Home Value $512,373 Zillow
$1,098 Median Rent 14.1% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 290 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$100,417 median income, 1.5% unemployment
C+
Affordability
3.0 / 5.0
$659,900 home value, $1,098/mo rent
B+
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $100,417
34% higher than US avg
Home Value $659,900
134% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.2%
10% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,098
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.1%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.2%
90% lower than US avg

How Rough and Ready Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population659
Median Age54.8 yrs
Density208/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans11.6%

Economy

A+
Median Income$100,417
Per Capita$40,496
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty1.2%
County GDP$4,508M
Commute15 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$659,900
Rent$1,098
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$512,373
Housing Units425
Rent Burden14.1%

Health

Obesity29.1%
Uninsured6.5%
Smoking14.0%
Depression26.6%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain53.2 in/yr
Sunny Days290/yr
Elevation2,037 ft (621 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+37.2%
High School+95.6%
Graduate+11.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 36%
Commute15 min
Broadband100.0%
Libraries1

Is Rough and Ready a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rough and Ready receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Rough and Ready stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rough and Ready is $100,417, which is significantly higher than the national average — 34% above $75,149. This places Rough and Ready among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rough and Ready is $659,900, making it a premium housing market at 134% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,098 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rough and Ready 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. With 290 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 53.2 inches, including 8.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Rough and Ready has a population of 659 with a density of 208 people per square mile. The median age is 54.8 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

659
Total Population
208
People / sq mi
54.8yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rough and Ready vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Rough and Ready vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rough and Ready is $100,417, which is 34% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Rough and Ready vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$100,417
34% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,496
Avg Weekly Wage$1,287
IRS Avg AGI$62,831

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.2%
90% 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
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate0.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Drive Alone50.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rough and Ready is $659,900, 134% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,098 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $512,373.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$659,900
134% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$512,373

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,098
6% below US avg
Rent Burden14.1%

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-Occupied77.2%
Housing Units425
Median Year Built1985

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,709
35% above US avg
Effective Rate0.71%
In Rough and Ready, 29.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.5% of residents lack health insurance. 14.0% are current smokers. 26.6% report depression. 20.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rough and Ready vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.1%
9% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.0%
0% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity20.2%
Depression26.6%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress13.7%
Short Sleep33.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured6.5%
24% below US avg
Checkup Rate69.8%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death9,988/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access83.9%
Healthcare Facilities86
Rough and Ready 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. The area enjoys 290 sunny days per year. 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)
Sunny Days290 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,037 ft (621 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density208/sq mi
Coordinates39.2340°N, 121.1380°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06115
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 37.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.8-point margin. 100.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 25.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.2%
10% above US avg
High School+95.6%
Graduate Degree+11.2%
School Test Score4.69
B+ Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density208/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access100.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities86
Restaurants95
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Drive Alone50.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.2%

Nearby Cities

Lake Wildwood, CA 4,967 pop · 3.2 mi Penn Valley, CA 1,197 pop · 4.0 mi Grass Valley, CA 14,126 pop · 4.7 mi Nevada City, CA 3,168 pop · 5.9 mi Alta Sierra CDP (Nevada County), CA 7,061 pop · 8.8 mi Colfax, CA 2,095 pop · 13.9 mi Lake of the Pines, CA 5,012 pop · 14.1 mi Beale AFB, CA 1,174 pop · 14.4 mi Loma Rica, CA 2,371 pop · 15.4 mi Meadow Vista, CA 3,343 pop · 16.9 mi Wheatland, CA 3,790 pop · 19.5 mi North Auburn, CA 13,833 pop · 21.2 mi Sheridan, CA 1,447 pop · 21.3 mi Foresthill, CA 1,455 pop · 22.8 mi
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