City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Blue Lake, CA

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

997
Residents
$52,813
Median income
$460,800
Median home
$1,550
Median rent (state)

Blue Lake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Blue Lake places in the 24th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

24th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
61st
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: Blue Lake, CA

Blue Lake is a small town in California, home to 997 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Blue Lake brings in $52,813 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 7.1%. Home values in Blue Lake run a median of $460,800, and the median resident age is 52.4 years. Educational attainment runs 37.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 51.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 200% from five years earlier.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,550 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 96.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

997 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$52,813 /yr

Poverty 7.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Blue Lake compare to other US cities?

Where Blue Lake 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 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% 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 Blue Lake against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Blue Lake toward the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Blue Lake ranks #1,034 - the 25th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Blue Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,150 of 1,338
14th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,034 of 1,458
25th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#757 of 1,343
44th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#674 of 1,450
53rd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#470 of 1,458
68th 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

24th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Blue Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$460,800 18th percentile more affordable than 18% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Blue 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 - Blue Lake, CA Blue Lake, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Blue 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 Blue Lake, CA median $52,813/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%
Blue 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 Blue Lake, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.8%

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

Population
997
Median Income
$52,813
Median Home Value
$460,800
Median Age
52.4
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor force participation
51.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.9%

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 →
1,100 residents1,150 residents1,200 residents1,250 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,212 residents 1,144 residents ▼ -5.6%
Blue Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 3

Permit volume increased 200% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
64.6%
Carpool
4.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
19.0%
Other
6.3%

Based on 426 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 Blue Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,550/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Greeley Hill
997 people
Riverdale Park
998 people
Shell Ridge
998 people
Boonville
985 people
Santa Susana
983 people
Maricopa
1,015 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue Lake's 997 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Alakanuk, AK
997 people
Talkeetna, AK
997 people
Mapleton, IA
997 people
Galva, KS
997 people
Friars Point, MS
997 people
Exeter, MO
997 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue Lake's $52,813 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Witt, IL
$52,813 median income
Geneva, IN
$52,813 median income
Eldon, IA
$52,813 median income
Louisburg, MO
$52,813 median income
White Plains, NC
$52,813 median income
Fitzhugh, OK
$52,813 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Blue 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 Blue Lake, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.4% 7.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.9% White 88.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.6% Native Hawaiian 1.6% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 7.2% 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 Blue 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
Blue Lake (this city) 997 $52,813
Greeley Hill 997 N/A
Riverdale Park 998 $61,802
Shell Ridge 998 $250,001
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Blue Lake, CA?

What is the population of Blue Lake, CA? +

The population of Blue Lake, CA stands at 997 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Blue Lake is $52,813 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Blue Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Blue 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 Blue Lake, CA? +

Blue Lake's median home value sits at $460,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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