Alpine
California

What stands out

If you had to describe Alpine County in numbers, start here: the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($3,501 a month), population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-4.1% a year), and the share working from home is among the highest in America (24%). Within California it ranks 1st of 58 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Alpine County, California. 1,515 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 4.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -33).

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $101,125 a year, higher than 97% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,463. Unemployment runs 5.4%, higher than 93% of American counties. 24% of workers work from home.

California takes 5.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,843 a year.

Home

The median home costs $518K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $3,501 a month. Property tax is 0.75% of home value, roughly $3,481 a year on that median home, lower than 60% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 49 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 13.2 per 10,000 people. 4.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 28 points. 84% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 46°F, highs near 58 and lows near 34, colder than 88% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 24 out of 100, safer than 76% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 66 Mbps down, slower than 95% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 3.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.