Living in Blue Lake, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Blue Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Blue Lake has 982 residents with a median age of 61. The median household income is $53,594 (46% lower than the California median), the median home value is $445,200, the median rent is $1,284/month.
Blue Lake is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Blue Lake at a glance
- Population
- 982
- Median age
- 61State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $53,594State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $445,200State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,284/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 54.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.7%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Blue Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the California median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 16.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Blue Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Blue Lake the median home value is $445,200, 34% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,284 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,823 a month in housing costs.
Blue Lake median household income
The median household income in Blue Lake is $53,594 and the income per person is $41,124. 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Blue Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 646
- Owner-occupied
- 54.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.7%
- Vacant
- 11%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 1.71
Blue Lake demographics
- Population
- 982
- Median age
- 61
- Under 18
- 8.8%
- 65 and older
- 38.4%
- Households
- 575
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Blue Lake ›
Education in Blue Lake
38.7% of adults 25 and older in Blue Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 3.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Blue Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 10%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 23.9%
- Drive alone
- 61.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 7.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.6%
Blue Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake | 982 | $53,594 | $445,200 | $1,284 |
| Arcata | 18,607 | $46,713 | $484,600 | $1,327 |
| McKinleyville | 17,113 | $73,327 | $457,600 | $1,607 |
| Indianola | 560 | $54,716 | $454,800 | $1,920 |
| Fieldbrook | 736 | $85,673 | $603,400 | $1,240 |
| Manila | 985 | $53,813 | $409,000 | $1,617 |
| Myrtletown | 5,322 | $60,457 | $453,400 | $1,583 |
| Eureka | 26,010 | $57,662 | $404,500 | $1,195 |
| Cutten | 3,550 | $97,225 | $471,300 | $1,636 |
More for people moving to Blue Lake
Blue Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Blue Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Blue Lake, CA?
The median household income in Blue Lake is $53,594, 46% 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 Blue Lake?
The median home value in Blue Lake is $445,200, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Blue Lake?
The median gross rent in Blue Lake is $1,284 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Blue Lake, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the California median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 16.1%.
What is the median age in Blue Lake?
The median age in Blue Lake is 61 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Blue Lake?
The average commute to work in Blue Lake is 14 minutes; 23.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Blue Lake?
The unemployment rate in Blue Lake is 10% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Blue Lake?
38.7% of adults in Blue Lake 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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