City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Clearlake, CA

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

16,604
Residents
$41,580
Median income
$204,500
Median home
$1,549
Median rent (state)

Clearlake - the verdict

Clearlake ranks in the 9th percentile for household income and the 24th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
24th
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: Clearlake, CA

Clearlake is a small town in California, home to 16,604 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Clearlake brings in $41,580 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.6%. Typical homes in Clearlake are valued around $204,500, and the median resident age is 35.8 years. 6.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 40.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 17 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2413.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 56.9°F with 29.9 inches of precipitation per year and 0.4 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,549 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Clearlake workers runs 29.0 minutes, with 68.0% driving alone and 10.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 93.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

16,604 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$41,580 /yr

Poverty 17.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Clearlake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 24% 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, Clearlake ranks #297 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

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 Clearlake'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.

9thIncome percentile
24thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 24th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Clearlake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Clearlake'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 27 Avg. percentile National median
Clearlake'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 Clearlake's home value compares nationally

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

$204,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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. Clearlake $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 - Clearlake, CA Clearlake, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, CA median $41,580/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%
Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 40.0%

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

Population
16,604
Median Income
$41,580
Median Home Value
$204,500
Median Age
35.8
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Labor force participation
40.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2413.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
828.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1584.4
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.9°F
Annual Precipitation
29.9"
Annual Snowfall
0.4"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,500 residents16,600 residents16,700 residents16,800 residents16,900 residents17,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,699 residents 16,893 residents ▲ +1.2%
Clearlake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 20
2021 11
2022 5
2023 1
2024 17

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.0 minutes
Drive Alone
68.0%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
10.3%
Other
2.3%

Based on 4,864 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 Clearlake sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,549/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Bostonia
16,545 people
Fillmore
16,665 people
Kerman
16,492 people
Ukiah
16,419 people
Moraga
16,790 people
El Segundo
16,863 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Clearlake's 16,604 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Farmingville, NY
16,605 people
Fairburn, GA
16,609 people
La Vista, NE
16,594 people
Warsaw, IN
16,592 people
Palmetto Estates, FL
16,587 people
Beaver Dam, WI
16,629 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Clearlake's $41,580 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lamar, AR
$41,579 median income
Evant, TX
$41,583 median income
Torreon CDP (Torrance County), NM
$41,573 median income
Timpson, TX
$41,591 median income
Hernando, FL
$41,564 median income
Ambler, AK
$41,563 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Clearlake, 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 Clearlake, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 59.1% 17.2% 15.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.1% White 59.1% Black or African American 3.9% Asian 1.1% American Indian 3.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 17.2% Two or more races 15.7% 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 Clearlake 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
Clearlake (this city) 16,604 $41,580
Bostonia 16,545 $73,549
Fillmore 16,665 $90,343
Kerman 16,492 $57,556
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Clearlake, CA?

What is the population of Clearlake, CA? +

Clearlake, CA has a population of 16,604 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Clearlake households earn a median of $41,580 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Clearlake? +

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

Clearlake has a total crime rate of 2413.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Clearlake, CA? +

Homes in Clearlake carry a median value of $204,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Clearlake? +

Climate normals put Clearlake's yearly average temperature at 56.9°F, 29.9 inches of precipitation, and 0.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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