San Bernardino
California

What stands out

Three things set San Bernardino County apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), rainfall is among the driest in America (8 inches a year), and the home price against local income is in the top 2% of American counties (5.1 years of income). Within California it ranks 3rd of 58 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in San Bernardino County, California. 2,180,563 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population held steady at 0.0% 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 $77,423 a year, higher than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,368. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 30 minutes each way.

California takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,639 a year.

Home

The median home costs $553K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 5.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,485 a month. Property tax is 0.72% of home value, roughly $3,151 a year on that median home, lower than 63% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 64% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% of American counties. There are 5,490 active physicians in the county, about 25.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.6 of 5 stars. 8.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.66 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 91% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 4 points. 61% 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 69°F, highs near 81 and lows near 56, warmer than 93% 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 61 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 273 Mbps down, faster than 85% of American counties. There are 38 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 23 breweries, 13 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.