South El Monte, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

South El Monte is a small city in California with a population of 19,413. Residents earn $67,153 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
19,413 Population 6,836/sq mi density
$67,153 Median Income $22,743 per capita
$578,100 Home Value $753,937 Zillow
$1,708 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
586 Violent Crime/100K 3,162 property/100K
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$67,153 median income, 4.4% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$578,100 home value, $1,708/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
586 violent crimes/100K (54% above avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,153
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $578,100
105% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 586/100K
54% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.2%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,708
47% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.2%
55% higher than US avg

How South El Monte Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population19,413
Median Age37.8 yrs
Density6,836/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 14%

Economy

B
Median Income$67,153
Per Capita$22,743
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty19.2%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute27 min

Housing

D
Home Value$578,100
Rent$1,708
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$753,937

Crime

F
Violent586/100K
Property3,162/100K
Murder4.9/100K
Assault396/100K
Burglary792/100K

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.8%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain15.7 in/yr
Elevation248 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.2%
High School+55.7%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute27 min
EV Stations4
Libraries258

Is South El Monte a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South El Monte receives an overall livability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate. South El Monte has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South El Monte is $67,153, 11% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South El Monte is $578,100, making it a premium housing market at 105% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,708 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 586 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,162 per 100,000, 61% above the national average.

Education

10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 55.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

South El Monte enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

South El Monte has a population of 19,413 with a density of 6,836 people per square mile. The median age is 37.8 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (14%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

19,413
Total Population
6,836
People / sq mi
37.8yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

South El Monte vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only19.3%
75% below US avg
Spanish80.7%
502% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South El Monte vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South El Monte is $67,153, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: South El Monte vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,153
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,743
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.2%
55% above US avg
Establishments (County)572,385
County GDP$1,002,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants24,882
Healthcare37,635
Retail29,130
Manufacturing10,448

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in South El Monte is $578,100, 105% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,708 (47% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $753,937.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$578,100
105% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$753,937
Median List Price$921,255

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$921,255
$/Sq Ft$454
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops40.0%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,708
47% above 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-Occupied49.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.81%
In South El Monte, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.8% report depression. 39.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South El Monte vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes16.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma8.9%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.5%
Physical Inactivity39.5%
Depression18.8%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress18.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate68.1%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
South El Monte has a violent crime rate of 586 per 100,000 residents, 54% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,162 per 100,000 (61% above US avg). The murder rate is 4.9 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: South El Monte vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent586.4/100K
54% above US avg
Murder4.9/100K
22% below US avg
Rape19.6/100K
Robbery166.1/100K
Assault395.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,161.5/100K
61% above US avg
Burglary791.6/100K
Theft1,724.9/100K
Vehicle Theft645.0/100K
Arson14.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disasters1,001

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South El Monte has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.7 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation248 ft (76 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density6,836/sq mi
Coordinates34.0504°N, 118.0484°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.9%
D 64.8%

Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.2%
70% below US avg
High School+55.7%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,836/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home6.0%

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