City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Dunsmuir, CA

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

1,519
Residents
$47,708
Median income
$262,800
Median home
$1,249
Median rent (state)

Dunsmuir - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Dunsmuir places in the 16th percentile for household income and the 57th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
41st
percentile, median rent
57th
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: Dunsmuir, CA

1,519 people live in Dunsmuir, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Dunsmuir households earn a median of $47,708 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 7.2%. Home values in Dunsmuir run a median of $262,800, and the median resident age is 46.7 years. About 21.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 48.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Dunsmuir reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1170.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,249 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 89.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,519 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$47,708 /yr

Poverty 7.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Dunsmuir compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 41% pricier than other cities
Safety 57% 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, Dunsmuir ranks #93 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 Dunsmuir 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 Dunsmuir near the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Dunsmuir ranks #1,423 - the 1st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dunsmuir only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,217 of 1,338
9th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,423 of 1,458
1st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,139 of 1,343
15th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#665 of 1,450
54th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#855 of 1,458
41st 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.

16thIncome percentile
57thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 57th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dunsmuir's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dunsmuir'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Dunsmuir'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 Dunsmuir's home value compares nationally

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

$262,800 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Dunsmuir $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 - Dunsmuir, CA Dunsmuir, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dunsmuir, 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 Dunsmuir, CA median $47,708/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%
Dunsmuir, 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 Dunsmuir, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.8%

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

Population
1,519
Median Income
$47,708
Median Home Value
$262,800
Median Age
46.7
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor force participation
48.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1170.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
739.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
431.3
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.

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 →
1,550 residents1,600 residents1,650 residents1,700 residents1,750 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,701 residents 1,587 residents ▼ -6.7%
Dunsmuir's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 2
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.9%
Carpool
16.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.0%
Work from Home
7.7%
Other
0.8%

Based on 595 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 Dunsmuir sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,249/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Los Ranchos
1,521 people
Lake Sherwood
1,515 people
Cedar Ridge
1,513 people
Del Rey
1,513 people
Ferndale
1,525 people
Rolling Hills
1,511 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dunsmuir's 1,519 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Williamsville, IL
1,519 people
Glendale, MS
1,519 people
Lake Telemark, NJ
1,519 people
Banner Hill, TN
1,519 people
Coahoma, TX
1,519 people
Heritage Pines, FL
1,520 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dunsmuir's $47,708 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sims, IL
$47,708 median income
Hilltop, MN
$47,708 median income
Eagle Nest, NM
$47,708 median income
Mammoth, PA
$47,708 median income
Parker, PA
$47,708 median income
Windsor Heights, WV
$47,708 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dunsmuir, 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 Dunsmuir, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.2% 13.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.3% White 80.2% Black or African American 2.9% Asian 2.1% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 13.7% 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 Dunsmuir 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
Dunsmuir (this city) 1,519 $47,708
Los Ranchos 1,521 $146,667
Lake Sherwood 1,515 $244,239
Cedar Ridge 1,513 $72,180
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dunsmuir, CA?

What is the population of Dunsmuir, CA? +

Dunsmuir, CA has a population of 1,519 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Dunsmuir, the typical household earns $47,708 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dunsmuir? +

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

Dunsmuir has a total crime rate of 1170.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Dunsmuir, CA? +

Dunsmuir's median home value sits at $262,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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