City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Rio Dell, CA

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

3,371
Residents
$46,055
Median income
$313,400
Median home
$1,550
Median rent (state)

Rio Dell - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rio Dell lands in the 14th percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

14th
percentile, household income
67th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Rio Dell, CA

3,371 people live in Rio Dell, California - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Rio Dell households earn a median of $46,055 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.1%. Rio Dell's housing stock carries a median value of $313,400, and the median resident age is 31.8 years. 9.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Rio Dell (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1979.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, near 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: 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 $1,550 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

3,371 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$46,055 /yr

Poverty 9.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Rio Dell compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 67% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at California, Rio Dell ranks #237 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 Rio Dell'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.

14thIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rio Dell's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rio Dell'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
Rio Dell'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 Rio Dell's home value compares nationally

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

$313,400 33rd percentile more affordable than 33% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rio Dell $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 - Rio Dell, CA Rio Dell, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rio Dell, 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 Rio Dell, CA median $46,055/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%
Rio Dell, 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 Rio Dell, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.8%

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

Population
3,371
Median Income
$46,055
Median Home Value
$313,400
Median Age
31.8
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Labor force participation
60.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1979.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
365.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1614.4
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.

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 →
3,100 residents3,200 residents3,300 residents3,400 residents3,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,383 residents 3,211 residents ▼ -5.1%
Rio Dell'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 30
2020 2
2021 4
2022 2
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.9%
Carpool
12.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
10.8%

Based on 1,425 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 Rio Dell sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,550/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Avalon
3,373 people
North Shore
3,373 people
Meadowbrook
3,368 people
West Menlo Park
3,382 people
Desert View Highlands
3,389 people
Yountville
3,396 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rio Dell's 3,371 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Waldron, AR
3,370 people
Newburgh, IN
3,370 people
Red Oak, NC
3,372 people
Breckenridge, MN
3,369 people
Level Park-Oak Park, MI
3,367 people
Barnegat, NJ
3,367 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rio Dell's $46,055 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Flovilla, GA
$46,058 median income
Mount Jackson, PA
$46,058 median income
Denton, NC
$46,061 median income
Winters, TX
$46,063 median income
Gretna, LA
$46,045 median income
Gulfport, MS
$46,044 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rio Dell, 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 Rio Dell, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 61.0% 7.2% 15.0% 11.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.9% White 61.0% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 3.1% American Indian 7.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 15.0% Two or more races 11.7% 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 Rio Dell 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
Rio Dell (this city) 3,371 $46,055
Avalon 3,373 $91,713
North Shore 3,373 $43,208
Meadowbrook 3,368 $58,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rio Dell, CA?

What is the population of Rio Dell, CA? +

Rio Dell, CA has a population of 3,371 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rio Dell, CA? +

Rio Dell households earn a median of $46,055 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rio Dell? +

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

Rio Dell has a total crime rate of 1979.9 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 Rio Dell, CA? +

Homes in Rio Dell carry a median value of $313,400, 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 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.