City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Big Bear Lake, CA

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

5,038
Residents
$74,728
Median income
$517,900
Median home
$2,201
Median rent (state)

Big Bear Lake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Big Bear Lake places in the 56th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

56th
percentile, household income
86th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Big Bear Lake, CA

5,038 people live in Big Bear Lake, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Big Bear Lake brings in $74,728 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Big Bear Lake's housing stock carries a median value of $517,900, and the median resident age is 45.5 years. 34.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 25 residential building permits were authorized in Big Bear Lake (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 48.0°F with 20.0 inches of precipitation per year and 58.6 inches of snowfall.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,201 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

5,038 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$74,728 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Big Bear Lake compare to other US cities?

Big Bear Lake measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 86% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Big Bear Lake 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 sits close to the middle of California's city distribution

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Big Bear Lake ranks #525 - the 64th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Big Bear Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#855 of 1,338
36th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#734 of 1,458
47th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#674 of 1,343
50th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#612 of 1,450
57th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#525 of 1,458
64th 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.

56thIncome percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Big Bear Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$517,900 14th percentile more affordable than 14% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Big Bear Lake $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 - Big Bear Lake, CA Big Bear Lake, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big Bear Lake, 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 Big Bear Lake, CA median $74,728/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%
Big Bear Lake, 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 Big Bear Lake, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.5%

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

Population
5,038
Median Income
$74,728
Median Home Value
$517,900
Median Age
45.5
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
57.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.0°F
Annual Precipitation
20.0"
Annual Snowfall
58.6"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,010 residents5,020 residents5,030 residents5,040 residents5,050 residents5,060 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,041 residents 5,018 residents ▼ -0.5%
Big Bear Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
25
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 25
2020 23
2021 24
2022 32
2023 38
2024 25

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.3%
Carpool
12.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
23.8%
Other
0.8%

Based on 2,408 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 Big Bear Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,201/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Running Springs
5,043 people
Myrtletown
5,028 people
Jackson
5,061 people
Lake of the Pines
5,012 people
Sunnyside
5,003 people
Lake San Marcos
4,996 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Bear Lake's 5,038 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hoopeston, IL
5,039 people
Milan, IL
5,037 people
Sea Cliff, NY
5,037 people
Archer Lodge, NC
5,036 people
Falmouth, VA
5,036 people
Hamlin, NY
5,041 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Bear Lake's $74,728 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Greencastle, PA
$74,725 median income
Fort Pierre, SD
$74,732 median income
West Kootenai, MT
$74,722 median income
Mont Alto, PA
$74,722 median income
Garland, TX
$74,717 median income
Lynn, MA
$74,715 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big Bear Lake, 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 Big Bear Lake, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.0% 19.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.3% White 74.0% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 19.1% 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 Big Bear Lake 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
Big Bear Lake (this city) 5,038 $74,728
Running Springs 5,043 $85,681
Myrtletown 5,028 $55,543
Jackson 5,061 $75,051
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big Bear Lake, CA?

What is the population of Big Bear Lake, CA? +

5,038 people live in Big Bear Lake, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Big Bear Lake, CA? +

In Big Bear Lake, the typical household earns $74,728 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big Bear Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Big Bear Lake; 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.

What is the median home value in Big Bear Lake, CA? +

Homes in Big Bear Lake carry a median value of $517,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Big Bear Lake? +

Big Bear Lake has an average annual temperature of 48.0°F, 20.0 inches of precipitation, and 58.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.