City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

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

41,259
Residents
$175,307
Median income
$1,541,400
Median home
$2,601
Median rent (state)

Rancho Palos Verdes - the verdict

Nationally, Rancho Palos Verdes sits in the 97th percentile for household income and the 65th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
93rd
percentile, median rent
65th
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: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

41,259 people live in Rancho Palos Verdes, California - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Rancho Palos Verdes brings in $175,307 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.4%. Rancho Palos Verdes's housing stock carries a median value of $1,541,400, and the median resident age is 49.7 years. Educational attainment runs 69.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 52.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 11 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 21% from five years earlier. Rancho Palos Verdes reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 974.8 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,601 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 100.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

41,259 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$175,307 /yr

Poverty 2.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Rancho Palos Verdes compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 93% pricier than other cities
Safety 65% 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, Rancho Palos Verdes ranks #52 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 Rancho Palos Verdes 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 is Rancho Palos Verdes's strongest outlier among California cities

Among the 1,343 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Rancho Palos Verdes ranks #103 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Rancho Palos Verdes only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#109 of 1,338
92nd percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#513 of 1,458
56th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#103 of 1,343
92nd percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#1,083 of 1,450
25th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#112 of 1,458
92nd 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.

97thIncome percentile
65thSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 65th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rancho Palos Verdes's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rancho Palos Verdes'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 55 Avg. percentile National median
Rancho Palos Verdes'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 Rancho Palos Verdes's home value compares nationally

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

$1,541,400 1st percentile more affordable than 1% 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%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Rancho Palos Verdes $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 - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Rancho Palos Verdes, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rancho Palos Verdes, 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA median $175,307/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%
Rancho Palos Verdes, 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 69.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.9%

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

Population
41,259
Median Income
$175,307
Median Home Value
$1,541,400
Median Age
49.7
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor force participation
52.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
69.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
974.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
91.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
883.2
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
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
39,000 residents40,000 residents41,000 residents42,000 residents43,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 42,134 residents 39,654 residents ▼ -5.9%
Rancho Palos Verdes's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 3
2021 5
2022 9
2023 15
2024 11

Permit volume decreased 21% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.8%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
1.5%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
23.9%
Other
1.5%

Based on 17,356 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 Rancho Palos Verdes sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,601/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
100.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Altadena
41,921 people
Culver City
39,993 people
French Valley
42,550 people
Coachella
42,594 people
San Bruno
42,612 people
Vineyard
42,645 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rancho Palos Verdes's 41,259 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Florence, AL
41,231 people
Hallandale Beach, FL
41,224 people
Milton, GA
41,305 people
Woburn, MA
41,205 people
Brighton, CO
41,196 people
Indian Trail, NC
41,146 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rancho Palos Verdes's $175,307 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cedar Crest, MA
$175,313 median income
Kendall Park, NJ
$175,361 median income
Newtown Grant, PA
$175,403 median income
Deephaven, MN
$175,441 median income
Beverly Hills, MI
$175,460 median income
Remsenburg-Speonk, NY
$175,469 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rancho Palos Verdes, 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 48.4% 31.8% 12.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.0% White 48.4% Black or African American 2.1% Asian 31.8% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 5.3% Two or more races 12.0% 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 Rancho Palos Verdes 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
Rancho Palos Verdes (this city) 41,259 $175,307
Altadena 41,921 $129,123
Culver City 39,993 $122,312
French Valley 42,550 $132,605
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rancho Palos Verdes, CA?

What is the population of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA? +

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA counts 41,259 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA? +

The median household income in Rancho Palos Verdes is $175,307 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rancho Palos Verdes? +

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

Rancho Palos Verdes has a total crime rate of 974.8 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 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA? +

A typical home in Rancho Palos Verdes is worth $1,541,400, 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.