Grass Valley
RANK #886 / 996 NAT · #32 / 43 CA · POP 102,322
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
Nevada County, California, distinguishes itself with its Gold Rush history and natural beauty, particularly in towns like Nevada City, a national historic landmark known for its Victorian architecture. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, approximately 60 miles northeast of Sacramento and 80 miles west of Reno, the county offers a blend of small-town charm and outdoor access. Residents and visitors enjoy four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cool, snowy winters. The county boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails, kayaking and fishing on the South Yuba River and Scotts Flat Lake, and winter sports near Donner Summit.
Life in Nevada County often appeals to those seeking a connection to nature and a strong sense of community. The public school system includes several districts, with schools like Deer Creek Elementary and Grass Valley School District serving local families. Commute options within Western Nevada County include fixed-route bus services provided by Nevada County Connects, with regional connections to Auburn. The economy, historically rooted in gold mining, has diversified to include professional business services, healthcare, and a growing manufacturing sector with companies like Aja Video. Tourism also plays a significant role, driven by the county's historic towns and outdoor attractions.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.9x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Nevada County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #886 of 996 counties. Job growth at +4.0% and median household income of $79,395 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Affordability is a real challenge in Nevada County. The median home is valued at $559,700 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.14, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $1,487/month.
Employers in Nevada County are hiring — job growth of +4.0% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved -1.6% 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 2.92% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Nevada County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.