Population 15,460 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Cottonwood
Household size in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.62 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.86 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Cottonwood average 2.86 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Even so, the typical household here is smaller than in California overall, where it has 3.01 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.72, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.1 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.1 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.7 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Cottonwood is 42.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 42.1, a smaller shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Cottonwood: 7.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.7 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Cottonwood
Renters in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.0% of households in Cottonwood rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About a third of owners (33.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northeast and least common in the west. The renter share has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.8% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Cottonwood: 7.8% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. California as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.7 points, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Cottonwood are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,041 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,057 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,048 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,415 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$374 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Cottonwood costs $1,415 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $374 a month from 2006–10, a 36% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 37.7% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Cottonwood
Bachelor's degrees in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Cottonwood: 20.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.7 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.6% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.1% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Cottonwood is close to the national rate: 88.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in California as a whole (84.2%). The share with a diploma has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Cottonwood
| Period | Cottonwood | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Cottonwood: 7.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.6 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Cottonwood compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood | 2.86 | 42.7 | 7.7% | 24.0% | 7.8% | 1985 | $1,415 | 20.9% | 88.8% | 7.4% |
| Hooker | 2.62 | 50.3 | 7.4% | 21.7% | 11.2% | 1984 | $1,337 | 14.9% | 90.3% | 8.5% |
| Anderson | 2.56 | 40.9 | 13.0% | 30.0% | 8.8% | 1982 | $1,052 | 15.1% | 86.7% | 7.3% |
| Balls Ferry | 2.24 | 52.2 | 6.3% | 28.2% | 7.6% | 1972 | $1,099 | 12.9% | 83.5% | 6.8% |
| Gas Point | 2.93 | 38.2 | 9.2% | 3.9% | 16.7% | 1986 | $1,320 | 24.5% | 89.0% | 14.2% |
| Olinda | 2.68 | 44.3 | 12.3% | 19.3% | 14.9% | 1983 | $1,093 | 16.4% | 87.6% | 6.4% |
| Dales | 2.34 | 50.4 | 6.2% | 48.0% | 41.9% | 1971 | $1,341 | 12.6% | 80.3% | 18.4% |
| Red Bluff | 2.59 | 40.7 | 16.3% | 38.5% | 9.8% | 1977 | $1,237 | 17.4% | 88.1% | 5.7% |
| Palo Cedro | 2.89 | 43.1 | 5.6% | 9.4% | 2.6% | 1980 | $1,553 | 39.5% | 94.4% | 5.0% |
| Redding | 2.55 | 41.3 | 11.8% | 40.8% | 9.7% | 1982 | $1,628 | 26.6% | 93.4% | 5.6% |
| Millville | 2.71 | 49.7 | 8.5% | 13.3% | 13.5% | 1981 | $1,663 | 23.2% | 96.2% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Brecksville, OH · Bay St. Louis, MS · Rifle, CO · Woodruff, SC · Woodland Park, NJ · Lake Forest Park, WA · River Ridge, LA · Rayne, LA · Florida, PR · Rosaryville, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Cottonwood. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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