City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Williams, CA

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

5,569
Residents
$93,138
Median income
$339,900
Median home
$1,306
Median rent (state)

Williams - the verdict

Nationally, Williams sits in the 73rd percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

73rd
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
45th
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: Williams, CA

Williams is a small town in California, home to 5,569 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Williams households earn a median of $93,138 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Typical homes in Williams are valued around $339,900, and the median resident age is 30.5 years. Educational attainment runs 15.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 36 residential building permits were authorized in Williams (Rapid Growth), up 24% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Williams reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1506.5 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,306 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 81.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

5,569 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$93,138 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Williams compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 73% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% 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, Williams ranks #146 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 Williams'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.

73rdIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

73rd percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Williams's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Williams'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Williams'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 Williams's home value compares nationally

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

$339,900 29th percentile more affordable than 29% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Williams $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 - Williams, CA Williams, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Williams, 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 Williams, CA median $93,138/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%
Williams, 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 Williams, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.0%

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

Population
5,569
Median Income
$93,138
Median Home Value
$339,900
Median Age
30.5
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
65.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1506.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
620.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
886.2
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,500 residents5,550 residents5,600 residents5,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,545 residents 5,529 residents ▼ -0.3%
Williams's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
36
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
35
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 29
2020 1
2021 23
2022 2
2023 1
2024 36

Permit volume increased 24% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.5%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.3%
Work from Home
1.7%
Other
1.6%

Based on 2,446 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 Williams sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,306/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

McSwain
5,556 people
East Pasadena
5,592 people
La Habra Heights
5,546 people
Holtville
5,606 people
Rancho Murieta
5,606 people
West Modesto
5,633 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Williams's 5,569 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Belleview, FL
5,569 people
Laie, HI
5,568 people
White Rock, NM
5,568 people
Kaser, NY
5,568 people
White City metro township, UT
5,568 people
Wyndmoor, PA
5,567 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Williams's $93,138 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Prince's Lakes, IN
$93,125 median income
San Lorenzo, NM
$93,125 median income
Minoa, NY
$93,125 median income
Alexandria, OH
$93,125 median income
Marrowstone, WA
$93,125 median income
Lake Koshkonong, WI
$93,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Williams, 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 Williams, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.8% 29.6% 23.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 85.6% White 45.8% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 29.6% Two or more races 23.7% 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 Williams 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
Williams (this city) 5,569 $93,138
McSwain 5,556 $140,173
East Pasadena 5,592 $105,714
La Habra Heights 5,546 $186,837
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Williams, CA?

What is the population of Williams, CA? +

5,569 people live in Williams, CA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Williams runs $93,138, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Williams? +

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

Williams has a total crime rate of 1506.5 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 Williams, CA? +

The median home value in Williams is $339,900, 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.