City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Crescent City, CA

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

6,180
Residents
$41,131
Median income
$290,500
Median home
$1,370
Median rent (state)

Crescent City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Crescent City lands in the 9th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
64th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
1st
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: Crescent City, CA

California's Crescent City is a small town, with 6,180 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $41,131 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.8%. Crescent City's housing stock carries a median value of $290,500, and the median resident age is 37.5 years. 19.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 29.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 211 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 6933% from five years earlier. Crescent City's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 7847.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.2°F with 71.5 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,370 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 34.8 minutes, with 46.1% driving alone and 8.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 94.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

6,180 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$41,131 /yr

Poverty 13.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Crescent City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Crescent City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 64% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% 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, Crescent City ranks #436 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 Crescent City 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 Crescent City near the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Crescent City ranks #1,364 - the 6th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Crescent City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,274 of 1,338
5th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,364 of 1,458
6th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,072 of 1,343
20th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#334 of 1,450
77th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#907 of 1,458
38th 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.

9thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Crescent City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Crescent City'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 17 Avg. percentile National median
Crescent City'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 Crescent City's home value compares nationally

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

$290,500 36th percentile more affordable than 36% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Crescent City $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 - Crescent City, CA Crescent City, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, CA median $41,131/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%
Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 29.2%

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

Population
6,180
Median Income
$41,131
Median Home Value
$290,500
Median Age
37.5
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Labor force participation
29.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
7847.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1386.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
6461.9
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
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
71.5"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,000 residents5,500 residents6,000 residents6,500 residents7,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,535 residents 6,002 residents ▼ -8.2%
Crescent City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
211
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
211
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
34.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 5
2021 4
2022 0
2023 8
2024 211

Permit volume increased 6933% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
34.8 minutes
Drive Alone
46.1%
Carpool
28.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
13.7%
Work from Home
8.9%
Other
3.3%

Based on 1,554 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 Crescent City sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,370/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Wilton
6,198 people
Aptos
6,124 people
Willows
6,239 people
Gustine
6,118 people
Salton
6,244 people
Durham
6,111 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Crescent City's 6,180 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cameron Park, TX
6,180 people
Old Bethpage, NY
6,179 people
Fair Haven, NJ
6,182 people
Mays Landing, NJ
6,178 people
Aztec, NM
6,177 people
South Valley Stream, NY
6,177 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Crescent City's $41,131 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rushville, NY
$41,131 median income
Centreville, AL
$41,130 median income
Republic, MI
$41,136 median income
Centerville, MO
$41,136 median income
Snow Hill, NC
$41,125 median income
Hollow Rock, TN
$41,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Crescent City, 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 Crescent City, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.9% 10.2% 6.7% 8.5% 14.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.6% White 57.9% Black or African American 10.2% Asian 1.5% American Indian 6.7% Native Hawaiian 0.8% Some other race 8.5% Two or more races 14.4% 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 Crescent City 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
Crescent City (this city) 6,180 $41,131
Wilton 6,198 $171,579
Aptos 6,124 $135,349
Willows 6,239 $78,179
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Crescent City, CA?

What is the population of Crescent City, CA? +

6,180 people live in Crescent City, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Crescent City, CA? +

The median household income in Crescent City is $41,131 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Crescent City? +

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

Crescent City has a total crime rate of 7847.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Crescent City, CA? +

Crescent City's median home value sits at $290,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Crescent City? +

Climate normals put Crescent City's yearly average temperature at 52.2°F, 71.5 inches of precipitation. 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.