City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Avenal, CA

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

13,441
Residents
$52,986
Median income
$224,800
Median home
$1,469
Median rent (state)

Avenal - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Avenal places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 78th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
78th
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: Avenal, CA

California's Avenal is a small town, with 13,441 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $52,986 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.7%. Home values in Avenal run a median of $224,800, and the median resident age is 32.3 years. 4.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 39.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 7 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 59% from five years earlier. Avenal reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 671.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,469 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Workers in Avenal report an average commute of 30.6 minutes, with 74.2% driving alone and 1.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 92.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

13,441 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$52,986 /yr

Poverty 16.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Avenal compare to other US cities?

Where Avenal sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 78% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Avenal ranks #24 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Avenal against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Avenal near the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Avenal ranks #1,353 - the 7th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Avenal only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,148 of 1,338
14th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,294 of 1,458
9th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,217 of 1,343
9th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#253 of 1,450
82nd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,353 of 1,458
7th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile
78thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 78th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Avenal's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Avenal'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Avenal'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 Avenal's home value compares nationally

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

$224,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $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. Avenal $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 - Avenal, CA Avenal, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Avenal, 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 Avenal, CA median $52,986/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%
Avenal, 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 Avenal, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 4.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 39.6%

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

Population
13,441
Median Income
$52,986
Median Home Value
$224,800
Median Age
32.3
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor force participation
39.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
4.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
671.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
468.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
202.8
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,500 residents13,000 residents13,500 residents14,000 residents14,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,462 residents 13,479 residents ▲ +0.1%
Avenal's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 19
2021 45
2022 18
2023 42
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 59% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
30.6 minutes
Drive Alone
74.2%
Carpool
17.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
1.8%
Other
4.4%

Based on 3,855 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 Avenal sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,469/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Lake Los Angeles
13,479 people
Lamont
13,481 people
King City
13,512 people
Bonita
13,336 people
North Fair Oaks
13,327 people
Oak Park
13,656 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Avenal's 13,441 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Woodinville, WA
13,440 people
Kilgore, TX
13,444 people
Palmetto, FL
13,449 people
Trophy Club, TX
13,454 people
Endicott, NY
13,456 people
Harrison, OH
13,460 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Avenal's $52,986 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Trenton, SC
$52,986 median income
Eatonton, GA
$52,989 median income
Greenville, ME
$52,991 median income
Elfers, FL
$52,979 median income
Michigan City, IN
$52,979 median income
Sequim, WA
$52,977 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Avenal, 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 Avenal, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 21.4% 47.9% 24.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 86.5% White 21.4% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 1.1% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 47.9% Two or more races 24.0% 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 Avenal 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
Avenal (this city) 13,441 $52,986
Lake Los Angeles 13,479 $60,999
Lamont 13,481 $34,436
King City 13,512 $63,090
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Avenal, CA?

What is the population of Avenal, CA? +

Avenal, CA has a population of 13,441 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Avenal, CA? +

Avenal households earn a median of $52,986 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Avenal? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Avenal; 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 Avenal, CA safe? +

Avenal has a total crime rate of 671.2 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 Avenal, CA? +

Avenal's median home value sits at $224,800, 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

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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.