Whittier, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Whittier is a mid-size city in California with a population of 85,925. Residents earn $92,374 per year, which is 23% above the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
85,925 Population 5,865/sq mi density
$92,374 Median Income $39,555 per capita
$751,700 Home Value $812,603 Zillow
$1,829 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature 325 sunny days/yr
275 Violent Crime/100K 2,584 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$92,374 median income, 3.4% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.1 / 5.0
$751,700 home value, $1,829/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
275 violent crimes/100K (28% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
29.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $92,374
23% higher than US avg
Home Value $751,700
167% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 275/100K
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.2%
13% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,829
57% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.5%
14% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.6%
55% lower than US avg

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

People

Population85,925
Median Age38.3 yrs
Density5,865/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 37%

Economy

A+
Median Income$92,374
Per Capita$39,555
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty5.6%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute33 min

Housing

C
Home Value$751,700
Rent$1,829
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$812,603

Crime

F
Violent275/100K
Property2,584/100K
Murder4.6/100K
Assault143/100K
Burglary391/100K

Health

Obesity27.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.1%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain40.6 in/yr
Sunny Days325/yr
Elevation348 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.2%
High School+89.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute33 min
EV Stations24
Libraries258

Is Whittier a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Whittier receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Whittier has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Whittier is $92,374, 23% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Whittier is $751,700, making it a premium housing market at 167% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,829 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Whittier is below the national average at 275 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,584 per 100,000, 32% above the national average.

Education

29.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Whittier enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 325 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Whittier has a population of 85,925 with a density of 5,865 people per square mile. The median age is 38.3 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (36.7%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

85,925
Total Population
5,865
People / sq mi
38.3yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
14.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Whittier vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only58.9%
25% below US avg
Spanish41.1%
207% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Whittier vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Whittier is $92,374, which is 23% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Whittier vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$92,374
23% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,555
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.6%
55% 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 Rate1.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.2 min
Work from Home10.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Whittier is $751,700, 167% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,829 (57% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $812,603.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$751,700
167% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$812,603
Median List Price$900,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$900,000
$/Sq Ft$528
Homes Sold24
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops14.1%
Inventory78

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,829
57% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,380

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-Occupied58.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.39%
In Whittier, 27.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.1% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.5%
14% below US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure26.5%
Asthma8.7%
COPD3.8%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression19.1%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate70.1%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Whittier has a violent crime rate of 275 per 100,000 residents, 28% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,584 per 100,000 (32% above US avg). The murder rate is 4.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent274.9/100K
28% below US avg
Murder4.6/100K
27% below US avg
Rape17.3/100K
Robbery110.4/100K
Assault142.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,584.2/100K
32% above US avg
Burglary391.0/100K
Theft1,841.3/100K
Vehicle Theft351.9/100K
Arson12.7/100K

Traffic Safety

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

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Whittier has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.6 inches. The area enjoys 325 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average61.8°F
14% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days325 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.6 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall1.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation348 ft (106 m)
Area14.7 sq mi (37.9 km²)
Population Density5,865/sq mi
Coordinates33.9668°N, 118.0201°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 29.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (13% 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+29.2%
13% below US avg
High School+89.0%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,865/sq mi
Total Area14.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations24
Alt Fuel Stations43
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 Commute33.2 min
Work from Home10.9%

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