Solvang, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Solvang is a small city in California with a population of 6,034. Residents earn $118,208 per year, which is 57% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
6,034 Population 2,483/sq mi density
$118,208 Median Income $76,064 per capita
$936,900 Home Value $1,380,859 Zillow
$1,773 Median Rent 23.9% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
166 Violent Crime/100K 1,495 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$118,208 median income, 1.7% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$936,900 home value, $1,773/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
166 violent crimes/100K (56% below avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $118,208
57% higher than US avg
Home Value $936,900
232% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 166/100K
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.5%
14% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,773
52% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.9%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.4%
56% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,034
Median Age53.6 yrs
Density2,483/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 73%

Economy

A+
Median Income$118,208
Per Capita$76,064
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty5.4%
County GDP$41,425M
Commute32 min

Housing

C
Home Value$936,900
Rent$1,773
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,380,859
Rent Burden23.9%

Crime

F
Violent166/100K
Property1,495/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault129/100K
Burglary332/100K

Health

Obesity24.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.4 in/yr
Elevation483 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.5%
High School+92.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute32 min
EV Stations11
Libraries20

Is Solvang a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Solvang receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Solvang offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Solvang is $118,208, which is significantly higher than the national average — 57% above $75,149. This places Solvang among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 5.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Solvang is $936,900, making it a premium housing market at 232% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,773 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Solvang is below the national average at 166 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,495 per 100,000, 24% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 92.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Solvang enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Solvang has a population of 6,034 with a density of 2,483 people per square mile. The median age is 53.6 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (72.7%).

Population

6,034
Total Population
2,483
People / sq mi
53.6yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Solvang vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.1%
4% below US avg
Spanish24.9%
86% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Solvang vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Solvang is $118,208, which is 57% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Solvang vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$118,208
57% above US avg
Per Capita Income$76,064
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
IRS Avg AGI$108,768

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.4%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)17,497
County GDP$41,425M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,253
Healthcare1,508
Retail1,476
Manufacturing521

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.5 min
Work from Home19.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Solvang is $936,900, 232% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,773 (52% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,380,859.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$936,900
232% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,380,859
Median List Price$1,325,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,325,000
$/Sq Ft$595
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio95.0%
Price Drops26.3%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,773
52% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,867
Rent Burden23.9%

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-Occupied60.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,996
214% above US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Solvang, 24.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 18.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Solvang vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.9%
22% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity18.3%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate70.2%
Premature Death6,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access92.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Solvang has a violent crime rate of 166 per 100,000 residents, 56% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,495 per 100,000 (24% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent166.1/100K
56% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape36.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault129.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,495.0/100K
24% below US avg
Burglary332.2/100K
Theft1,107.4/100K
Vehicle Theft55.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Solvang has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average54°F (12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.4 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation483 ft (147 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density2,483/sq mi
Coordinates34.5938°N, 120.1397°W
County FIPS06083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 38.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 35.1%
D 61.8%

Winner: Democrat by 26.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.5%
14% above US avg
High School+92.8%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,483/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations11
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities1,508
Restaurants1,253
Retail Stores1,476

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.5 min
Work from Home19.1%

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