Shasta
California

What stands out

What stands out about Shasta County: natural-hazard risk is in the top 5% of American counties (95 of 100), the home price against local income is in the top 9% of American counties (3.8 years of income), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 10% of American counties (6.0%). Within California it ranks 32nd of 58 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Shasta County, California. 181,852 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -15).

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 $68,347 a year, higher than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,352. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

California takes 4.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,852 a year.

Home

The median home costs $376K, pricier than 83% of American counties, about 3.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,175 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $2,331 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 32 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.9 years, shorter than 61% of American counties. There are 464 active physicians in the county, about 25.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.87 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 77% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% 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 58°F, highs near 70 and lows near 45, warmer than 59% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 95 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 41 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 176 Mbps down, slower than 60% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 4 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.