Living in Atwater, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Atwater · Census data 2020–2024
Atwater has 32,162 residents with a median age of 33. The median household income is $64,472 (35% lower than the California median), the median home value is $363,400, the median rent is $1,279/month.
Atwater at a glance
- Population
- 32,162
- Median age
- 33State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $64,472State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $363,400State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,279/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 52.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.9%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Atwater a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the California median; unemployment of 12.3%; a poverty rate of 21%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Atwater
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Atwater the median home value is $363,400, 9% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,279 per month, which is 31.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,875 a month in housing costs.
Atwater median household income
The median household income in Atwater is $64,472 and the income per person is $28,045. 21% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Atwater: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,080
- Owner-occupied
- 52.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.9%
- Vacant
- 2.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 3.24
Atwater demographics
- Population
- 32,162
- Median age
- 33
- Under 18
- 29%
- 65 and older
- 12.4%
- Households
- 9,872
- Foreign-born
- 21.6%
- Veterans
- 6.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Atwater ›
Education in Atwater
12.9% of adults 25 and older in Atwater have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 2.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Atwater
- Unemployment rate
- 12.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 79.2%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 91%
Atwater vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | $363,400 | $1,279 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | $690,100 | $1,516 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | $339,400 | $1,156 |
| Franklin | 7,392 | $58,295 | $308,200 | $1,399 |
| Cressey | 386 | $90,333 | $225,000 | — |
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | $372,600 | $1,393 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | $372,700 | $1,315 |
| Ballico | 447 | $171,875 | $522,100 | $892 |
| Bear Creek | 346 | $153,088 | — | — |
More for people moving to Atwater
Atwater ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Atwater: FAQ
What is the median household income in Atwater, CA?
The median household income in Atwater is $64,472, 35% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Atwater?
The median home value in Atwater is $363,400, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Atwater?
The median gross rent in Atwater is $1,279 per month, about 31.9% of household income.
Is Atwater, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the California median; unemployment of 12.3%; a poverty rate of 21%.
What is the median age in Atwater?
The median age in Atwater is 33 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Atwater?
The average commute to work in Atwater is 28 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Atwater?
The unemployment rate in Atwater is 12.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Atwater?
12.9% of adults in Atwater have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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