Topanga, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Topanga is a small city in California with a population of 8,781. Residents earn $142,553 per year, which is 90% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
8,781 Population 459/sq mi density
$142,553 Median Income $83,967 per capita
$1,643,000 Home Value $1,424,178 Zillow
$3,501 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$142,553 median income, 4.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,643,000 home value, $3,501/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
61.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $142,553
90% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,643,000
483% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 61.6%
83% higher than US avg
Median Rent $3,501
201% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.3%
31% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.2%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,781
Median Age46.0 yrs
Density459/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 74%

Economy

A+
Median Income$142,553
Per Capita$83,967
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty1.2%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute30 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,643,000
Rent$3,501
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,424,178

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity22.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease3.9%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain16.4 in/yr
Elevation1,060 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+61.6%
High School+97.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute30 min
EV Stations1
Libraries258

Is Topanga a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Topanga receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Topanga offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Topanga is $142,553, which is significantly higher than the national average — 90% above $75,149. This places Topanga among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Topanga is $1,643,000, making it a premium housing market at 483% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,501 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 11.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Topanga is a highly educated community — 61.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Topanga enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Topanga has a population of 8,781 with a density of 459 people per square mile. The median age is 46.0 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (73.9%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

8,781
Total Population
459
People / sq mi
46.0yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
19.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Topanga vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.6%
6% below US avg
Spanish26.4%
97% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Topanga vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Topanga is $142,553, which is 90% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Topanga vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$142,553
90% above US avg
Per Capita Income$83,967
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.2%
90% 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 Rate0.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.6 min
Work from Home33.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Topanga is $1,643,000, 483% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,501 (201% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,424,178.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,643,000
483% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,424,178
Median List Price$1,550,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,550,000
$/Sq Ft$628
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops8.5%
Inventory47

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,501
201% 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-Occupied77.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate0.64%
In Topanga, 22.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 14.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.3%
31% below US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease3.9%
High Blood Pressure24.3%
Asthma9.7%
COPD3.5%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity14.0%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate71.9%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

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

Safety Score

Topanga has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average66.3°F
23% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.4 inches
57% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)
Area19.1 sq mi (49.5 km²)
Population Density459/sq mi
Coordinates34.0968°N, 118.6060°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 61.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% above 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+61.6%
83% above US avg
High School+97.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density459/sq mi
Total Area19.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.6 min
Work from Home33.3%

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