Contra Costa
California

What stands out

If you had to describe Contra Costa County in numbers, start here: the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($2,189 a month), natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), and the median household income is among the highest in America ($120,020). Within California it ranks 9th of 58 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Contra Costa County, California. 1,162,648 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population held steady at 0.2% last year.

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 $120,020 a year, higher than almost every county in America. Employers pay an average wage of $86,234. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 55% of American counties. 17% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 31 minutes each way.

California takes 6.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $7,600 a year.

Home

The median home costs $790K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 5.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $2,189 a month. Property tax is 0.84% of home value, roughly $6,654 a year on that median home, lower than 51% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.6 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 3,959 active physicians in the county, about 34.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 69% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 35 points. 75% 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 61°F, highs near 72 and lows near 50, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 14 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 100 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 297 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 17 breweries, 10 museums, 4 National Park Service sites.