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Ruth, CA

Full City Profile · California · Trinity County County

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
165 Population 4/sq mi density
56°F Avg Temperature 269 sunny days/yr
566 Violent Crime/100K 1,697 property/100K
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
566 violent crimes/100K (49% above avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Ruth enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 269 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 65.4 inches. The area receives 0.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,829 ft (862 m)
Area40.5 sq mi (104.9 km²)
Population Density4/sq mi
Coordinates40.2938°N, 123.3483°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyTrinity County County
Nearest AirportRedding Regional (RDD)
57 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 65.4"
72% above US avg
Snowfall 0.2"
Wettest Month (Dec) 10.31"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score79.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability82.6 / 100
Community Resilience37.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively High
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,994 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.2. Most recent: M2.7 on Aug 23, 2025.

Apr 25, 1992 The 1992 Petrolia, California Earthquake M7.2 75 km
Apr 26, 1992 32 km SW of Ferndale, California M6.6 103 km
Jan 10, 2010 The 2010 Eureka, California Earthquake M6.5 121 km
Apr 26, 1992 30 km WSW of Ferndale, California M6.5 104 km
Aug 17, 1991 30 km SSW of Scotia, California M6.0 80 km
Feb 4, 2010 61 km WSW of Ferndale, California M5.9 137 km
Mar 9, 2020 69km W of Petrolia, CA M5.8 148 km
Jan 28, 2015 40 km SW of Ferndale, California M5.7 107 km
Feb 13, 2012 26 km NNW of Willow Creek, California M5.6 102 km
Jan 22, 1997 33 km SW of Scotia, California M5.6 88 km
Jun 23, 2019 6km SSW of Petrolia, CA M5.6 81 km
Dec 26, 1994 7 km WNW of Fields Landing, California M5.4 95 km
Jan 16, 1990 30 km NW of Shelter Cove, California M5.4 81 km
Feb 26, 2007 52km W of Ferndale, CA M5.4 134 km
Feb 26, 2007 51 km W of Ferndale, California M5.4 134 km
Apr 30, 2008 3 km NNW of Burnt Ranch, California M5.4 62 km
Jan 1, 2023 15km SE of Rio Dell, CA M5.4 54 km
Mar 8, 1992 27 km NW of Shelter Cove, California M5.3 78 km
Mar 18, 2020 15km W of Petrolia, CA M5.2 94 km
Jun 17, 2002 29 km WNW of Fields Landing, California M5.2 117 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

9 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 9, 1980 EF2 98 km 0
Mar 29, 1958 EF2 97 km 0
Mar 5, 1978 EF1 87 km 0
Jan 4, 2021 EF0 94 km 0
Jan 25, 2018 EF0 90 km 0
Apr 4, 2013 EF0 97 km 0
Mar 8, 2010 EF0 93 km 0
Mar 14, 1987 EF0 91 km 0
Mar 5, 1978 EF0 100 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.8 m (6 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1992 CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m 82 km
2024 CAPE MENDOCINO, N. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 0.1 m 142 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Clear Lake (155 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Clear Lake Volcanic field 1,439 m (4,721 ft) Unknown 155 km
Lassen Volcanic Center Stratovolcano 3,187 m (10,456 ft) 1917 157 km
Shasta Stratovolcano 4,317 m (14,163 ft) 1250 158 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: AUGUST COMPLEX (1,068,802 ac, 2020).

Year Name Acres Distance
2020 AUGUST COMPLEX 1,068,802 48 km
2018 CARR 233,710 79 km
2021 MONUMENT 226,125 48 km
2021 HAYPRESS 204,549 97 km
2020 RED SALMON COMPLEX 147,535 91 km
1999 MEGRAM- ORLEANS 125,337 82 km
2021 MCFARLAND 121,554 37 km
2006 PIGEON 100,962 74 km
2008 YOLLA BOLLY COMPLEX (IRON) 94,888 38 km
2015 RIVER COMPLEX 78,531 69 km
2020 ZOGG 56,941 63 km
1987 MENDENHALL 54,162 88 km
2012 NORTH PASS 43,689 51 km
2008 SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOON) 36,514 64 km
2015 ROUTE COMPLEX 35,444 38 km
2008 IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (EAGLE) 32,397 49 km
2015 PATTISON 31,129 46 km
2022 CAMPBELL 30,392 75 km
2008 IRON AND ALPS COMPLEXES (BUCKHORN) 29,446 61 km
2008 SHU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (MOTION) 29,346 84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 44°F (7°C) 10.0 in
February 41°F (5°C) 8.3 in
March 42°F (6°C) 7.9 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.7 in
May 51°F (11°C) 1.5 in
June 58°F (14°C) 0.6 in
July 70°F (21°C) 0.2 in Warmest, Driest
August 65°F (18°C) 0.7 in
September 61°F (16°C) 1.3 in
October 54°F (12°C) 3.8 in
November 44°F (7°C) 9.3 in
December 40°F (4°C) 10.3 in Coldest, Wettest

Ruth has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 40°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (10.3") and July the driest (0.2").

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