Nevada
California

What stands out

Against every county in America, Nevada County is unusual in three ways: the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (5.5 years of income), the share working from home is among the highest in America (22%), and the median home price is in the top 3% of American counties ($620K). Within California it ranks 19th of 58 counties for the home price against local income.

Where you are

You live in Nevada County, California. 102,322 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -39).

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 $79,395 a year, higher than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,734. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 51% of American counties. 22% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

California takes 4.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,822 a year.

Home

The median home costs $620K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 5.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,462 a month. Property tax is 0.74% of home value, roughly $4,151 a year on that median home, lower than 61% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 37 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 80.0 years, longer than 91% of American counties. There are 251 active physicians in the county, about 24.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.89 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 72% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 9 points. 81% 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 54°F, highs near 66 and lows near 42, colder than 56% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 165 Mbps down, slower than 65% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 4 museums.