Sierra
California

What stands out

Three things set Sierra County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the restaurant count per person is in the top 2% of American counties (2.1 per 1,000), life expectancy is in the top 3% of American counties (81.7 years), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (5.7%). Within California it ranks 3rd of 58 counties for the restaurant count per person.

Where you are

You live in Sierra County, California. 2,916 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -11).

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 $61,108 a year, higher than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,525. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 74% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

California takes 3.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,273 a year.

Home

The median home costs $333K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,292 a month. Property tax is 0.84% of home value, roughly $2,428 a year on that median home, lower than 52% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 34 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 81.7 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 5.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.70 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 84% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 29 points. 79% 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 49°F, highs near 62 and lows near 36, colder than 77% of American counties. About 48 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 36 out of 100, safer than 64% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 80 Mbps down, slower than 93% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.