City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Arroyo Grande, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Arroyo Grande - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

18,412
Residents
$103,258
Median income
$758,100
Median home
$2,512
Median rent (state)

Arroyo Grande - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Arroyo Grande places in the 80th percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

80th
percentile, household income
94th
percentile, home value
93rd
percentile, median rent
66th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Arroyo Grande, CA

18,412 people live in Arroyo Grande, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Arroyo Grande households earn a median of $103,258 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.0%. Home values in Arroyo Grande run a median of $758,100, and the median resident age is 45.2 years. 44.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 33 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 3% from five years earlier. Arroyo Grande reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 951.6 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,512 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 95.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

18,412 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$103,258 /yr

Poverty 2.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Arroyo Grande compare to other US cities?

Here's how Arroyo Grande stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 80% higher than other cities
Home value 94% pricier than other cities
Median rent 93% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Arroyo Grande ranks #49 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Arroyo Grande's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

80thIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

80th percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Arroyo Grande's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Arroyo Grande's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 51 Avg. percentile National median
Arroyo Grande's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Arroyo Grande's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$758,100 6th percentile more affordable than 6% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Arroyo Grande $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Arroyo Grande, CA Arroyo Grande, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Arroyo Grande, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Arroyo Grande, CA median $103,258/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Arroyo Grande, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Arroyo Grande, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 44.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
18,412
Median Income
$103,258
Median Home Value
$758,100
Median Age
45.2
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
44.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
951.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
198.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
753.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,000 residents18,200 residents18,400 residents18,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 18,437 residents 18,123 residents ▼ -1.7%
Arroyo Grande's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
33
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 32
2020 49
2021 54
2022 7
2023 11
2024 33

Permit volume increased 3% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.7%
Carpool
11.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.1%
Work from Home
11.5%
Other
4.1%

Based on 8,690 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Arroyo Grande sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,512/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Castaic
18,479 people
Coronado
18,558 people
Arcata
18,578 people
Phelan
18,059 people
Pinole
18,835 people
Stanford
17,958 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Arroyo Grande's 18,412 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dover, NJ
18,420 people
Sudley, VA
18,420 people
Tallmadge, OH
18,394 people
Fairwood CDP (King County), WA
18,437 people
Oconomowoc, WI
18,385 people
Newton, KS
18,443 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Arroyo Grande's $103,258 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bridge City, TX
$103,256 median income
Montverde, FL
$103,250 median income
Jim Falls, WI
$103,250 median income
Methuen, MA
$103,270 median income
Atlantic Beach, FL
$103,288 median income
Sparrowhawk, OK
$103,304 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Arroyo Grande, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Arroyo Grande, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.5% 16.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.7% White 76.5% Black or African American 0.4% Asian 3.7% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 16.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Arroyo Grande compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Arroyo Grande (this city) 18,412 $103,258
Castaic 18,479 $132,153
Coronado 18,558 $135,056
Arcata 18,578 $48,731
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Arroyo Grande, CA?

What is the population of Arroyo Grande, CA? +

The population of Arroyo Grande, CA stands at 18,412 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Arroyo Grande, CA? +

The median household income in Arroyo Grande is $103,258 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Arroyo Grande? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Arroyo Grande; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Arroyo Grande, CA safe? +

Arroyo Grande has a total crime rate of 951.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Arroyo Grande, CA? +

Homes in Arroyo Grande carry a median value of $758,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.