Population 17,642 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Nevada City
Household size in Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.30 | 2.76 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.30 | 2.81 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.32 | 2.82 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.83 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | +0.07 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Nevada City is a place of small households, averaging 2.36 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.30 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 62 have smaller households.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.3 | 36.7 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 52.7 | 37.6 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.6 | 38.7 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 53.3 | 39.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.0 | +2.9 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 53.3, Nevada City is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 48.3, mirroring the country. Only 17 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people are older.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 12.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 12.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 11.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.6% of households in Nevada City, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, 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 Nevada City
Renters in Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.9% | 37.3% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 40.4% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.9% | 39.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.1% | 37.0% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.1% of households in Nevada City rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. More than four in ten owners (45.6%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the east. The renter share has fallen 5.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 9.3% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 8.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 6.7% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.5% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Nevada City: 17.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1980 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1985 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Nevada City was built around 1980, the same vintage as the country's housing overall. Homes here are older than in the Sacramento area as a whole, where the median home dates to 1985. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center 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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,162 | $1,199 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,167 | $1,254 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,611 | $1,488 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,741 | $2,018 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$579 | +$818 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Nevada City costs $1,741 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the wider Sacramento area ($2,018). Rent has climbed $579 a month since 2006–10, up 50%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Nevada City
Bachelor's degrees in Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2% | 30.1% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.8% | 30.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.3% | 33.6% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 44.8% | 37.4% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +7.2 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than four in ten adults 25 and older in Nevada City (44.8%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northwest.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.0% | 86.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.9% | 87.6% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.9% | 89.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.5% | 89.9% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Nevada City: 94.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged down 0.5 points, even as the national rate rose.
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 Nevada City
| Period | Nevada City | Sacramento area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 9.7% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 12.4% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 6.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Nevada City than nationally: unemployment was 4.6%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 5.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Nevada City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada City | 2.36 | 53.3 | 7.6% | 20.1% | 17.5% | 1980 | $1,741 | 44.8% | 94.5% | 4.6% |
| North Columbia | 2.19 | 44.6 | 11.2% | 24.7% | 7.1% | 1990 | $1,149 | 33.5% | 91.5% | 6.7% |
| Grass Valley | 2.35 | 50.2 | 10.3% | 34.0% | 9.4% | 1978 | $1,644 | 32.8% | 94.0% | 7.0% |
| Sweetland | 2.33 | 49.8 | 2.3% | 24.0% | 2.6% | 1979 | $1,012 | 29.6% | 94.6% | 4.9% |
| Rough And Ready | 2.26 | 60.8 | 4.8% | 9.1% | 7.0% | 1986 | $1,630 | 38.7% | 94.7% | 2.9% |
| North San Juan | 2.14 | 50.4 | 3.3% | 30.1% | 19.8% | 1978 | $1,375 | 29.6% | 91.0% | 5.0% |
| North Bloomfield | 2.18 | 44.0 | 11.9% | 25.7% | 5.9% | 1990 | $1,089 | 32.7% | 92.4% | 6.1% |
| Alta Sierra | 2.41 | 49.7 | 6.3% | 13.2% | 5.7% | 1983 | $1,927 | 38.2% | 96.4% | 3.4% |
| Penn Valley | 2.44 | 53.4 | 3.8% | 15.1% | 11.2% | 1984 | $2,140 | 37.3% | 94.6% | 1.5% |
| Dutch Flat | 2.48 | 47.0 | 7.3% | 16.2% | 27.3% | 1979 | $1,269 | 29.9% | 92.7% | 4.4% |
| Gold Run | 2.52 | 47.0 | 7.1% | 13.9% | 23.1% | 1984 | $1,417 | 23.4% | 85.2% | 5.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Indian Land, SC · Groves, TX · Harrison, NJ · Haughton, LA · Havelock, NC · Hilton, NY · Hockessin, DE · Holland, OH · Holly Springs, GA · Hood River, OR
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 Nevada City. 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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