South El Dorado
RANK #690 / 996 NAT · #13 / 43 CA · POP 191,713
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
El Dorado County, Spanish for "The Golden One," is renowned as the heart of California's Gold Rush country, with Placerville serving as its historic county seat. Located in east-central California, about 45 miles northeast of Sacramento, the county spans rolling foothills to the Sierra Nevada mountains, including a portion of Lake Tahoe. This diverse landscape offers year-round outdoor recreation, from whitewater rafting on the American River to hiking and mountain biking on trails like the Jenkinson Lake Loop and the Rubicon Trail. Skiing and snowboarding are popular in the winter months near Lake Tahoe. Commute options to Sacramento are available via public transit, including commuter bus routes with park-and-ride locations.
Life in El Dorado County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between natural amenities and community living. The county's public schools are highly rated, with approximately 70% scoring in the top thirty percent of California schools. The economy is experiencing growth, with significant investment in residential and commercial sectors. This includes new housing developments and expanded retail options. The region also has a growing wine and agricultural scene, with over 70 wineries.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 12.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Bass Lake Hills Development
Undisclosed
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Lime Rock Valley Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
Creekside Village
Undisclosed
|
$380M | Approved |
|
Gateway El Dorado Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
El Dorado PV BESS (Battery Storage Facility with Solar Charging)
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 30/100, El Dorado County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $99,246 combined with job growth of +1.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
El Dorado County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $597,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,597/month on average.
El Dorado County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +1.0%). Home values shifted -1.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.62% of El Dorado County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.