Placer County, CA

County

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2024 Population

419,156

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

US Senator

Adam Schiff

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

42.5

0.236% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

6.76%

0.753% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$115,998

1.15% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$688,100

4.45% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

196,337

1.29% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Placer County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.5% of the residents in Placer County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Placer County, CA are Sierra College (4,214 degrees awarded in 2023), William Jessup University (442 degrees), and Hoss Lee Academy (130 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Placer County, CA was $688,100, and the homeownership rate was 74.8%.

Most people in Placer County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Placer County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Placer County, CA borders El Dorado County, CA, Nevada County, CA, Sacramento County, CA, Sutter County, CA, Yuba County, CA, Douglas County, NV, Washoe County, NV, and Carson City, NV.

About the photo: The Auburn Courthouse

Photo by Nick Ares

United States California Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA

Population & Diversity

Placer County, CA is home to a population of 419k people, from which 95.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 12.6% of Placer County, CA residents were born outside of the country (52.9k people).

In 2024, there were 7.22 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (275k people) in Placer County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 38k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 23.8k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.5%

2024 Citizenship

95.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.5% of Placer County, CA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Placer County, CA was 95.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Placer County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Placer County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
275k ± 1.44k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
38k ± 1.03k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
23.8k ± 1.3k

15.7%

Hispanic Population

65.8k people

15.7% of the people in Placer County, CA are hispanic (65.8k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Placer County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,862,617 ± 45,816 people
Philippines
824,246 ± 22,054 people
China
687,951 ± 20,184 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,862,617 California residents, followed by Philippines with 824,246 and China with 687,951.

Foreign-Born Population

12.6%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

52.9k people

12.2%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

50.3k people

As of 2024, 12.6% of Placer County, CA residents (52.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Placer County, CA was 12.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Placer County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
8,178 ± 512
Gulf War (2001-)
6,009 ± 630
Gulf War (1990s)
3,042 ± 424

Placer County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.36 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Placer County, CA.

Economy

The economy of Placer County, CA employs 196k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Placer County, CA were Health Care & Social Assistance (30,284 people), Retail Trade (20,060 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (19,706 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($134,639), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($124,583), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($105,567).

Employment

Occupations

196k

2024 Value

± 3,386

1.29%

1 Year growth

± 2.44%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Placer County, CA grew at a rate of 1.29%, from 194k employees to 196k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Placer County, CA, are Management Occupations (27,737 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (21,453 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (20,583 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Placer County, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

196k

2024 Value

± 3,386

1.29%

1 Year growth

± 2.44%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Placer County, CA grew at a rate of 1.29%, from 194k employees to 196k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Placer County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,284 people), Retail Trade (20,060 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (19,706 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Placer County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Placer County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$82,974

Median earning men ± $2,043

$54,505

Median earning women ± $1,812

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($115,193), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($112,833), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($107,135).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($83,288), Information ($78,958), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,726).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

2.57%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,144
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
981
Construction
758
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.58M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$1.48M
Construction
$1.1M
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Placer County, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (58.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Adam Schiff

Senator from California

Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Placer County, CA awarded 4,802 degrees. The student population of Placer County, CA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 8,568 male students and 10,443 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Placer County, CA are White (2,660 and 56.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1,170 and 24.8%), Asian (391 and 8.27%), and Two or More Races (300 and 6.35%).

The largest universities in Placer County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Sierra College (4,214 and 87.8%), William Jessup University (442 and 9.2%), and Hoss Lee Academy (130 and 2.71%).

The most popular majors in Placer County, CA are General Health Services (782 and 16.3%), General Social Sciences (537 and 11.2%), and Biological & Physical Sciences (508 and 10.6%).

The median tuition cost in Placer County, CA for private four year colleges is $36,000.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Placer County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 76.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 35.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 19,011 (45.1% men and 54.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 19,011 students enrolled in Placer County, CA, 45.1% men and 54.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,185 records, of which 54.9% were women and 45.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Social Sciences
537 degrees awarded
General Health Services
533 degrees awarded
Biological & Physical Sciences
508 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Placer County, CA was General Social Sciences with 537 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Placer County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Sierra College
4,214 degrees awarded
William Jessup University
442 degrees awarded
Hoss Lee Academy
130 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Sierra College with 4,214 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,779 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Placer County, CA, which is 0.588 times less than the 3,023 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,660 degrees mean that there were 2.27 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,170 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($36,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,150) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,792) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Placer County, CA was $688,100 in 2024, which is 2.07 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $658,800 to $688,100, a 4.45% increase. The homeownership rate in Placer County, CA is 74.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Placer County, CA have an average commute time of 27.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Placer County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 16.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Placer County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.01%.

Housing

Property

$688,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,556

$118,103

Median Property Taxes

±$2,126

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Placer County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Placer County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

74.8%

Homeownership

2024

65%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 74.8% of the housing units in Placer County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Placer County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$115,998

Median Household Income

± $2,483

158k

Number of Households

± 3,013

In 2024, the median household income of the 158k households in Placer County, CA grew to $115,998 from the previous year's value of $114,678.

The following chart displays the households in Placer County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Placer County, CA is from California.

0.495

2023 Wage GINI in California

0.498

2022 Wage GINI in California

In 2023, the income inequality in California was 0.495 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.573% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (67.5%)
Worked At Home (22.7%)
Carpooled (6.32%)

In 2024, 67.5% of workers in Placer County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (22.7%) and those who carpooled to work (6.32%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Placer County, CA have a longer commute time (27.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.84% of the workforce in Placer County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Placer County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Placer County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Placer County, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 16.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Placer County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.01%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

6.76% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Placer County, CA (28.1k out of 416k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 75+, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Placer County, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 6.1% of the children was living in poverty in Placer County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 162 in Placer County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 55.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

96.8% of the population of Placer County, CA has health coverage, with 55.3% on employee plans, 11.3% on Medicaid, 14.8% on Medicare, 14.2% on non-group plans, and 1.25% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Placer County, CA see 820 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (820 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 949 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 255 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

820 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Placer County, CA

Primary care physicians in Placer County, CA see an average of 820 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (820 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Placer County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.2% under 18 years, 16.6% between 18 and 34 years, 39.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.18%

Uninsured

55.3%

Employer Coverage

11.3%

Medicaid

14.8%

Medicare

14.2%

Non-Group

1.25%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Placer County, CA declined by 5.92% from 3.38% to 3.18%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Placer County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 30.1 in Placer County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Placer County, CA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 25.8% in Placer County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Placer County, CA.