Riverside
California

What stands out

If you had to describe Riverside County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), rainfall is among the driest in America (8 inches a year), and winter sunshine is in the top 2% of American counties (2.2 on the USDA scale). Within California it ranks 2nd of 58 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Riverside County, California. 2,429,487 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7,807).

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 $84,505 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,734. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 74% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 31 minutes each way.

California takes 5.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,298 a year.

Home

The median home costs $609K, pricier than 96% of American counties, about 4.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,607 a month. Property tax is 0.85% of home value, roughly $3,959 a year on that median home, lower than 51% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 4,568 active physicians in the county, about 18.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.9 of 5 stars. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.76 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 85% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 3 points. 63% 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 70°F, highs near 83 and lows near 57, warmer than 96% of American counties. About 8 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 66 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 270 Mbps down, faster than 84% of American counties. There are 22 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 34 breweries, 25 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.