Lake Elsinore, CA
Census place 0639486 · pop 72,461
Wraps around the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California, whose hills draw crowds for wildflower 'superblooms.'
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
43 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
147 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities
87 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
100/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
5.0% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$566,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,441/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
18.7% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
12.7% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
1857 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
37.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
24.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
26.8% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities
0.95% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
173 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
12.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
9.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
93.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities
70.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$101,888 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities
Gini 0.39 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+10.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
Frequently asked
- Is Lake Elsinore, CA a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Lake Elsinore scores 34/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is population growth (5yr) and its weakest is commute time. California overall ranks #49 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Lake Elsinore, CA?
- Lake Elsinore reports 173 violent crimes per 100k and 1857 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Lake Elsinore, CA expensive to live in?
- Lake Elsinore has a median home value of $566,000 and typical rent around $2,441/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Lake Elsinore, CA?
- Its weakest measured area is commute time (43 min) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Lake Elsinore, CA best at?
- Its strongest measured area is population growth (5yr) (+10.1%) — 81/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Wraps around the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California, whose hills draw crowds for wildflower 'superblooms.'
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.