South Gate, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

South Gate is a mid-size city in California with a population of 91,836. Residents earn $71,315 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
91,836 Population 12,685/sq mi density
$71,315 Median Income $24,567 per capita
$608,500 Home Value $689,915 Zillow
$1,471 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature 331 sunny days/yr
527 Violent Crime/100K 2,800 property/100K
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$71,315 median income, 4.5% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$608,500 home value, $1,471/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
527 violent crimes/100K (39% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,315
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $608,500
116% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 527/100K
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.5%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,471
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.1%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population91,836
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density12,685/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 24%

Economy

B+
Median Income$71,315
Per Capita$24,567
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute32 min

Housing

D
Home Value$608,500
Rent$1,471
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$689,915

Crime

F
Violent527/100K
Property2,800/100K
Murder1.0/100K
Assault287/100K
Burglary437/100K

Health

Obesity31.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain34.7 in/yr
Sunny Days331/yr
Elevation115 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.5%
High School+59.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute32 min
EV Stations5
Libraries258

Is South Gate a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Gate receives an overall livability score of 2.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. South Gate has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Gate is $71,315, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Gate is $608,500, making it a premium housing market at 116% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,471 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,800 per 100,000, 43% above the national average.

Education

11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 59.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

South Gate enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 331 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

South Gate has a population of 91,836 with a density of 12,685 people per square mile. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (23.9%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

91,836
Total Population
12,685
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

South Gate vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only14.4%
82% below US avg
Spanish85.6%
539% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Gate vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Gate is $71,315, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: South Gate vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,315
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,567
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below 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 Rate1.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.4 min
Work from Home6.4%

Walkability

The median home value in South Gate is $608,500, 116% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,471 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $689,915.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$608,500
116% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$689,915
Median List Price$764,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$764,900
$/Sq Ft$530
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio98.5%
Price Drops15.4%
Inventory39

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,471
26% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,903

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-Occupied44.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.72%
In South Gate, 31.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.9% report depression. 34.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.1%
3% below US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma8.9%
COPD4.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity34.5%
Depression18.9%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress17.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.3%
Checkup Rate68.0%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
South Gate has a violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 residents, 39% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,800 per 100,000 (43% above US avg). The murder rate is 1.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent527.2/100K
39% above US avg
Murder1.0/100K
83% below US avg
Rape13.5/100K
Robbery226.1/100K
Assault286.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,799.5/100K
43% above US avg
Burglary436.5/100K
Theft1,501.3/100K
Vehicle Theft861.6/100K
Arson7.3/100K

Traffic Safety

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

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Gate has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.7 inches. The area enjoys 331 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average62.7°F
16% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days331 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.7 inches
9% below US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation115 ft (35 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.8 km²)
Population Density12,685/sq mi
Coordinates33.9442°N, 118.1928°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% 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+11.5%
66% below US avg
High School+59.1%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density12,685/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations13
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 Commute32.4 min
Work from Home6.4%

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