City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Big River, CA

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

1,025
Residents
$40,179
Median income
$132,400
Median home
$1,362
Median rent (state)

Big River - the verdict

Nationally, Big River sits in the 8th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

8th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
52nd
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 River, CA

Big River is a small town in California, home to 1,025 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Big River households earn a median of $40,179 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.2%. Big River's housing stock carries a median value of $132,400, and the median resident age is 60.9 years. About 9.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 35.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,362 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,025 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$40,179 /yr

Poverty 13.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Big River compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 52% 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 River against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Big River near the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,343 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Big River ranks #1,314 - the 2nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Big River only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,281 of 1,338
4th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,373 of 1,458
3rd percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,314 of 1,343
2nd percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#354 of 1,450
75th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,232 of 1,458
15th 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.

8thIncome percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Big River's home value compares nationally

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

$132,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Big River $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 River, CA Big River, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big River, 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 River, CA median $40,179/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 River, 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 River, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 35.0%

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

Population
1,025
Median Income
$40,179
Median Home Value
$132,400
Median Age
60.9
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Labor force participation
35.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.2%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.7%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
6.6%

Based on 334 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 River sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,362/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Acalanes Ridge
1,025 people
Douglas
1,025 people
Mesa Verde
1,025 people
Delft Colony
1,024 people
Lompico
1,024 people
Squirrel Mountain Valley
1,020 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big River's 1,025 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Horatio, AR
1,025 people
English, IN
1,025 people
Barker Heights, NC
1,025 people
Junction City, OH
1,025 people
Williamsport, OH
1,025 people
Beckemeyer, IL
1,024 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big River's $40,179 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sebeka, MN
$40,179 median income
Gordonville, PA
$40,179 median income
Lewistown, PA
$40,179 median income
Griffith Creek, TN
$40,179 median income
Cedar Bluff, VA
$40,179 median income
Metaline Falls, WA
$40,179 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big River, 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 River, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.4% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.2% White 85.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 9.8% 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 River 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 River (this city) 1,025 $40,179
Acalanes Ridge 1,025 $172,667
Douglas 1,025 $45,938
Mesa Verde 1,025 $48,523
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big River, CA?

What is the population of Big River, CA? +

Big River, CA has a population of 1,025 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Big River, the typical household earns $40,179 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big River? +

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

Homes in Big River carry a median value of $132,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, 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.