Willits, CA

California

Willits is a small town in California with a population of 4,945. Residents earn $55,971 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,945 Population 1,747/sq mi density
$55,971 Median Income $33,006 per capita
$306,800 Home Value $347,663 Zillow
$1,152 Median Rent 34.8% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
686 Violent Crime/100K 1,039 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$55,971 median income, 5.5% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$306,800 home value, $1,152/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
686 violent crimes/100K (80% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,971
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $306,800
9% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 686/100K
80% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.4%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,152
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.0%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,945
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density1,747/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,971
Per Capita$33,006
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$4,693M
Commute15 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$306,800
Rent$1,152
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$347,663
Rent Burden34.8%

Crime

F
Violent686/100K
Property1,039/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault602/100K
Burglary166/100K

Health

Obesity31.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.1%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain49.2 in/yr
Elevation1,371 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.4%
High School+87.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 61%
Commute15 min
EV Stations7
Libraries7

Is Willits a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Willits receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Willits has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Willits is $55,971, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Willits is $306,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,152 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.5x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 686 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,039 per 100,000, 47% below the national average.

Education

17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Willits experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Willits has a population of 4,945 with a density of 1,747 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.2%), with 4.2% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

4,945
Total Population
1,747
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Willits vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.4%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.6%
28% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Willits vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Willits is $55,971, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Willits vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,971
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,006
Avg Weekly Wage$1,037
IRS Avg AGI$67,138

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,522
County GDP$4,693M

Business (County)

Restaurants336
Healthcare265
Retail403
Manufacturing123

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.04%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.3 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Willits is $306,800, 9% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,152 (1% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $347,663.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$306,800
9% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$347,663
Median List Price$634,499

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$634,499
$/Sq Ft$300
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio98.5%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory9

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,152
1% below US avg
Rent Burden34.8%

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-Occupied39.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,264
79% above US avg
Effective Rate2.04%
In Willits, 31.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.1% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.0%
3% below US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression26.1%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death10,093/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access68.8%
Healthcare Facilities265
Willits has a violent crime rate of 686 per 100,000 residents, 80% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,039 per 100,000 (47% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent685.5/100K
80% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape20.8/100K
Robbery62.3/100K
Assault602.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,038.6/100K
47% below US avg
Burglary166.2/100K
Theft644.0/100K
Vehicle Theft228.5/100K
Arson83.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Willits has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

44°F Jan (6°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average44°F (6°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.2 inches
30% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,371 ft (418 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density1,747/sq mi
Coordinates39.4050°N, 123.3489°W
County FIPS06045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 26.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.5%
D 61.3%

Winner: Democrat by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.4%
48% below US avg
High School+87.5%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,747/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities265
Restaurants336
Retail Stores403

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations182
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.3 min
Work from Home10.8%

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