City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Red Bluff, CA

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

14,592
Residents
$50,216
Median income
$271,100
Median home
$1,362
Median rent (state)

Red Bluff - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Red Bluff lands in the 20th percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
52nd
percentile, median rent
3rd
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: Red Bluff, CA

14,592 people live in Red Bluff, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Red Bluff households earn a median of $50,216 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.4%. Red Bluff's housing stock carries a median value of $271,100, and the median resident age is 35.2 years. 12.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 49.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Red Bluff's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 5527.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,362 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 16.9 minutes, with 77.9% driving alone and 8.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 88.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

14,592 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$50,216 /yr

Poverty 15.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Red Bluff compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 52% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Red Bluff ranks #427 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

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 Red Bluff'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.

20thIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Red Bluff's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Red Bluff'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 22 Avg. percentile National median
Red Bluff'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 Red Bluff's home value compares nationally

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

$271,100 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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. Red Bluff $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 - Red Bluff, CA Red Bluff, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Red Bluff, 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 Red Bluff, CA median $50,216/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%
Red Bluff, 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 Red Bluff, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.3%

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

Population
14,592
Median Income
$50,216
Median Home Value
$271,100
Median Age
35.2
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Labor force participation
49.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5527.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1277.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4250.1
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
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,200 residents14,400 residents14,600 residents14,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,735 residents 14,404 residents ▼ -2.2%
Red Bluff'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 2
2020 8
2021 7
2022 4
2023 2
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.9 minutes
Drive Alone
77.9%
Carpool
10.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
8.7%
Other
1.4%

Based on 5,117 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 Red Bluff sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,362/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Cherryland
14,575 people
Parlier
14,545 people
Salida
14,457 people
Livingston
14,450 people
Alamo
14,441 people
California City
14,821 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Red Bluff's 14,592 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Falls Church, VA
14,593 people
Great Bend, KS
14,596 people
Swansea, IL
14,603 people
Fraser, MI
14,604 people
Alexandria, MN
14,579 people
Monticello, MN
14,607 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Red Bluff's $50,216 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ranshaw, PA
$50,215 median income
Louisville, GA
$50,214 median income
Concordia, KS
$50,213 median income
South English, IA
$50,208 median income
Melrose, WI
$50,208 median income
Green Mountain, IA
$50,227 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Red Bluff, 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 Red Bluff, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.5% 16.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.0% White 70.5% Black or African American 3.2% Asian 2.1% American Indian 2.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.2% Two or more races 16.3% 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 Red Bluff 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
Red Bluff (this city) 14,592 $50,216
Cherryland 14,575 $84,858
Parlier 14,545 $50,910
Salida 14,457 $91,990
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Red Bluff, CA?

What is the population of Red Bluff, CA? +

Red Bluff, CA counts 14,592 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Red Bluff, CA? +

Red Bluff households earn a median of $50,216 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Red Bluff? +

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

Red Bluff has a total crime rate of 5527.2 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 Red Bluff, CA? +

Homes in Red Bluff carry a median value of $271,100, 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 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.