Population 19,423 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Plumas County
Household size in Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.03 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.23 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.17 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.43 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Plumas County has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.03 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the northwest.
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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.4 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.3 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.3 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.4 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Plumas County skews older: half of its residents are older than 50.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.4, as it has nationally. Few California counties are older: only five of 58.
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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.0% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in eight households in Plumas County (13.2%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across California.
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 Plumas County
Renters in Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.5% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.1% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.4% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Plumas County own their homes; 25.4% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 49.3% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 9.0 points from 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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.5% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.4% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Plumas County: 34.5% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 8.9 points, 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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Plumas County are the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the north 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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $775 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $859 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $921 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,260 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$485 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Plumas County costs $1,260 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $485 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 27.8% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Plumas County
Bachelor's degrees in Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.8% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.5% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.3% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Plumas County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 22.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, 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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.2% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Plumas County is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only four of California's 58 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Plumas County
| Period | Plumas County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Plumas County runs well above the national rate: 9.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 0.7 points, a smaller shift than nationally. 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).
Plumas County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumas County | 2.46 | 50.4 | 13.2% | 25.4% | 34.5% | 1980 | $1,260 | 22.3% | 93.8% | 9.1% |
| Eureka County | 2.52 | 48.7 | 5.0% | 17.0% | 35.9% | 1993 | $969 | 15.2% | 94.2% | 0.0% |
| Rio Blanco County | 2.26 | 38.2 | 5.7% | 25.7% | 15.4% | 1976 | $860 | 23.3% | 96.0% | 2.3% |
| Grand County | 2.14 | 45.4 | 1.5% | 26.6% | 47.0% | 1990 | $1,340 | 44.1% | 95.2% | 3.7% |
| Gilpin County | 1.93 | 46.9 | 14.0% | 12.5% | 16.7% | 1981 | $1,658 | 48.7% | 92.8% | 2.8% |
| Boulder County | 2.42 | 39.8 | 7.9% | 38.0% | 6.0% | 1985 | $2,195 | 64.2% | 95.6% | 4.9% |
| Broomfield County | 2.50 | 40.0 | 6.7% | 37.3% | 4.8% | 1998 | $2,362 | 61.6% | 96.3% | 3.8% |
| Adams County | 2.92 | 35.4 | 12.3% | 31.4% | 4.6% | 1990 | $2,089 | 29.4% | 85.4% | 4.6% |
| Washington County | 2.31 | 39.8 | 8.7% | 26.4% | 8.5% | 1962 | $915 | 24.8% | 89.7% | 3.1% |
| Yuma County | 2.51 | 39.0 | 4.4% | 31.1% | 6.4% | 1967 | $888 | 25.5% | 80.8% | 4.2% |
| Dundy County | 2.18 | 47.2 | 4.9% | 26.4% | 21.7% | 1951 | $669 | 20.0% | 93.2% | 0.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fergus County, MT · Spencer County, KY · Spencer County, IN · Gallia County, OH · Fredericksburg City, VA · Franklin County, KS · Franklin County, IN · Franklin County, GA · Ford County, IL · Fluvanna County, VA
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 Plumas County. 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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