Signals
El Centro
Clearlake
Growth
45 · Bottom 42%
vs42 · Bottom 36%
Climate
57 · Bottom 18%
vs74 · Top 23%
Physical resilience
8 · Bottom 2%
vs5 · Bottom 1%
Housing affordability
66 · Bottom 10%
vs55 · Bottom 3%
Access
62 · Bottom 24%
vs60 · Bottom 21%
Economic stability
17 · Bottom 7%
vs15 · Bottom 5%
Measured values
| Metric | El Centro | Clearlake | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 180,202 | 68,152 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $57,681 | $60,621 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $23,552 | $35,372 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 43/sq mi | 54/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $309,600 | $324,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,056 | $1,368 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.8% | 72.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.1% | 17.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.5% | 17.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 208 | 116 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.2 | 1.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -2.8% | 20.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 108°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 42°F | 37°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 2.4" | 34.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 62 mi | 68 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.0 min | 32.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.2 | 44.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
El Centro
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Clearlake
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake, inland flooding.
Full profiles: El Centro, CA Metro Area · Clearlake, CA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology