South Whittier, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

South Whittier is a mid-size city in California with a population of 55,201. Residents earn $98,974 per year, which is 32% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
55,201 Population 10,337/sq mi density
$98,974 Median Income $32,460 per capita
$641,700 Home Value
$1,823 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$98,974 median income, 3.2% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.0 / 5.0
$641,700 home value, $1,823/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $98,974
32% higher than US avg
Home Value $641,700
128% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.7%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,823
57% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.3%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.4%
40% lower than US avg

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

People

Population55,201
Median Age35.1 yrs
Density10,337/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 29%

Economy

A+
Median Income$98,974
Per Capita$32,460
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty7.4%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute32 min

Housing

B
Home Value$641,700
Rent$1,823
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity28.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.6%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.0 in/yr
Elevation174 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.7%
High School+82.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute32 min
Libraries258

Is South Whittier a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Whittier receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. South Whittier offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Whittier is $98,974, which is significantly higher than the national average — 32% above $75,149. This places South Whittier among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.4% 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 South Whittier is $641,700, making it a premium housing market at 128% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,823 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.5x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

South Whittier enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

South Whittier has a population of 55,201 with a density of 10,337 people per square mile. The median age is 35.1 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (28.6%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

55,201
Total Population
10,337
People / sq mi
35.1yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

South Whittier vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only40.1%
49% below US avg
Spanish59.9%
347% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Whittier vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Whittier is $98,974, which is 32% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: South Whittier vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$98,974
32% above US avg
Per Capita Income$32,460
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.4%
40% 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 Rate1.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.1 min
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in South Whittier is $641,700, 128% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,823 (57% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$641,700
128% above US avg
Median List Price$777,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$777,000
$/Sq Ft$511
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio100.7%
Price Drops7.7%
Inventory52

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,823
57% 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-Occupied64.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.63%
In South Whittier, 28.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.6% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.3%
12% below US avg
Diabetes11.7%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure27.0%
Asthma8.6%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression18.6%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.3%
Checkup Rate69.4%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

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

Safety Score

South Whittier has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.0 inches
68% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation174 ft (53 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²)
Population Density10,337/sq mi
Coordinates33.9331°N, 118.0308°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% 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+17.7%
47% below US avg
High School+82.3%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density10,337/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.1 min
Work from Home7.6%

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