Searles Valley, CA

California

Searles Valley is a small town in California with a population of 1,698. Residents earn $65,625 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,698 Population 162/sq mi density
$65,625 Median Income $28,057 per capita
$68,500 Home Value
$809 Median Rent
68°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$65,625 median income, 5.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$68,500 home value, $809/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,625
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $68,500
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.1%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $809
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.9%
20% higher than US avg

How Searles Valley Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,698
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density162/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 73%

Economy

B
Median Income$65,625
Per Capita$28,057
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$1,555M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$68,500
Rent$809
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp68°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain3.6 in/yr
Elevation1,863 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.1%
High School+89.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 47%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is Searles Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Searles Valley receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Searles Valley offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Searles Valley is $65,625, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 14.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Searles Valley is $68,500, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $809 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Searles Valley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 3.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Searles Valley has a population of 1,698 with a density of 162 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (73.2%), with 9.1% Hispanic, 2.2% Black.

Population

1,698
Total Population
162
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
10.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Searles Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.5%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.5%
37% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Searles Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Searles Valley is $65,625, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Searles Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,625
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,057
Avg Weekly Wage$1,174
IRS Avg AGI$75,247

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.9%
20% above US avg
Establishments (County)863
County GDP$1,555M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare47
Retail84
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,831
38% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.6 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Searles Valley is $68,500, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $809 (30% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$68,500
76% below US avg
Median List Price$75,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$75,000
$/Sq Ft$54
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops46.4%
Inventory28

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$809
30% below US avg

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-Occupied60.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,831
38% above US avg
Effective Rate7.05%
In Searles Valley, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 25.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Searles Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma11.8%
COPD7.9%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity25.8%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.4%
Checkup Rate69.3%
Premature Death10,431/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access86.9%
Healthcare Facilities47

Crime Rates: Searles Valley vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Searles Valley has an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation is 3.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

47°F Jan (9°C) 91°F Jul (33°C)
Annual Average68.4°F
27% above US avg
January Average47°F (9°C)
July Average91°F (33°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall3.6 inches
90% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,863 ft (568 m)
Area10.5 sq mi (27.2 km²)
Population Density162/sq mi
Coordinates35.7700°N, 117.3967°W
County FIPS06027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.9%
D 46.9%

Winner: Republican by 3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.1%
58% below US avg
High School+89.1%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density162/sq mi
Total Area10.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities47
Restaurants100
Retail Stores84

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.6 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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