Santa Ana, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Santa Ana is a large city in California with a population of 311,639. Residents earn $88,354 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
311,639 Population 11,382/sq mi density
$88,354 Median Income $28,859 per capita
$657,800 Home Value $847,509 Zillow
$1,975 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature 331 sunny days/yr
374 Violent Crime/100K 1,719 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$88,354 median income, 3.4% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$657,800 home value, $1,975/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
374 violent crimes/100K (1% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,354
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $657,800
133% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 374/100K
1% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.0%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,975
70% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.1%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.8%
29% lower than US avg

How Santa Ana Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population311,639
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density11,382/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 20%

Economy

A
Median Income$88,354
Per Capita$28,859
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty8.8%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute25 min

Housing

C
Home Value$657,800
Rent$1,975
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$847,509

Crime

F
Violent374/100K
Property1,719/100K
Murder5.4/100K
Assault201/100K
Burglary236/100K

Health

Obesity29.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain27.5 in/yr
Sunny Days331/yr
Elevation82 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.0%
High School+66.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute25 min
EV Stations87
Libraries67

Is Santa Ana a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santa Ana receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Santa Ana has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Santa Ana is $88,354, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santa Ana is $657,800, making it a premium housing market at 133% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,975 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Santa Ana is below the national average at 374 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,719 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 66.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Santa Ana enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 331 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Santa Ana has a population of 311,639 with a density of 11,382 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (19.5%), with 2.9% Hispanic.

Population

311,639
Total Population
11,382
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
27.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Santa Ana vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only21.7%
72% below US avg
Spanish78.3%
484% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Santa Ana vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santa Ana is $88,354, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Santa Ana vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,354
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$28,859
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.8%
29% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.8 min
Work from Home8.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Santa Ana is $657,800, 133% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,975 (70% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $847,509.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$657,800
133% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$847,509
Median List Price$829,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$829,000
$/Sq Ft$585
Homes Sold43
Sale-to-List Ratio99.1%
Price Drops21.4%
Inventory210

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,975
70% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,804

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-Occupied44.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.53%
In Santa Ana, 29.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.6% report depression. 34.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Santa Ana vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.1%
9% below US avg
Diabetes13.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma8.9%
COPD4.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity34.0%
Depression18.6%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.6%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Santa Ana has a violent crime rate of 374 per 100,000 residents, 1% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,719 per 100,000 (12% below US avg). The murder rate is 5.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Santa Ana vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent374.5/100K
1% below US avg
Murder5.4/100K
15% below US avg
Rape34.2/100K
Robbery134.3/100K
Assault200.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,719.1/100K
12% below US avg
Burglary235.7/100K
Theft1,095.2/100K
Vehicle Theft388.2/100K
Arson6.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Santa Ana has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.5 inches. The area enjoys 331 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days331 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.5 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Area27.4 sq mi (70.9 km²)
Population Density11,382/sq mi
Coordinates33.7363°N, 117.8829°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.0%
47% below US avg
High School+66.1%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density11,382/sq mi
Total Area27.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations87
Alt Fuel Stations119
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.8 min
Work from Home8.7%

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