RANK #906 / 1001 NAT · #32 / 43 CA · POP 68,152
1YR FORECAST: -1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California and potentially the oldest lake in North America, anchors Lake County, a rural region two hours north of San Francisco and Sacramento. The county seat, Lakeport, sits on its western shore, offering a small-town feel with Victorian-era buildings and a lakefront park. Mount Konocti, a dormant volcano, provides a dramatic backdrop and hiking opportunities. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with activities like fishing, boating, hiking, and bird watching across numerous parks and trails, including Clear Lake State Park and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and clean air.
Life in Lake County often appeals to those seeking a relaxed, family-focused lifestyle amidst natural beauty. While some residents commute to nearby urban areas, approximately 20% of the workforce travels outside the county for employment. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and the geothermal power industry, with a notable winegrape-growing area. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting new businesses and creating local job opportunities. However, the county has faced challenges from recurrent wildfires impacting tourism and housing. Public transportation is available through Lake Transit Authority, offering local and intercity routes.
Lake County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -2.8% YoY, population +0.0%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 22.2x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Lake County scores just 9/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #906 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +1.5% and median household income of $60,621 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Lake County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $324,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.19 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,368/month on average.
Employers in Lake County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.0% YoY). Home values moved -2.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.52% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lake County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.