Living in Mad River, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Mad River · Census data 2020–2024
Mad River has 272 residents with a median age of 59.1. The median home value is $253,700.
Mad River is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Mad River at a glance
- Population
- 272
- Median age
- 59.1State: 37.9
- Median home value
- $253,700State: $734,700
- Homeowners
- 86%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10%
- Average commute
- 10 min
Is Mad River a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 65% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; a poverty rate of 8.5%.
Cons: Unemployment of 30.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Mad River
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Mad River the median home value is $253,700, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,674 a month in housing costs.
Housing in Mad River: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 313
- Owner-occupied
- 86%
- Renter-occupied
- 14%
- Vacant
- 63.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.39
63.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Mad River has many vacation and second homes.
Mad River demographics
- Population
- 272
- Median age
- 59.1
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 7.7%
- Households
- 114
- Foreign-born
- 2.9%
- Veterans
- 4.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Mad River ›
Education in Mad River
10% of adults 25 and older in Mad River have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 3.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Mad River
- Unemployment rate
- 30.5%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 10 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 88.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 63.2%
Mad River vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mad River | 272 | — | $253,700 | — |
| Ruth | 480 | $78,247 | — | — |
| Hayfork | 2,537 | $44,434 | $336,600 | $840 |
| Miranda | 513 | $39,390 | $409,100 | — |
| Burnt Ranch | 318 | $49,226 | $494,400 | — |
| Redway | 1,145 | $23,720 | $391,500 | $659 |
| Garberville | 1,415 | $39,542 | $387,300 | $1,293 |
| Benbow | 316 | $56,667 | $293,100 | — |
| Junction City | 1,190 | $48,250 | $283,300 | — |
More for people moving to Mad River
Mad River ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Mad River: FAQ
What is the average home price in Mad River?
The median home value in Mad River is $253,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
Is Mad River, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 65% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; a poverty rate of 8.5%. Minuses: unemployment of 30.5%.
What is the median age in Mad River?
The median age in Mad River is 59.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Mad River?
The average commute to work in Mad River is 10 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Mad River?
The unemployment rate in Mad River is 30.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Mad River?
10% of adults in Mad River 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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