RANK #799 / 996 · POP 406,608 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Placer County, California, stretches from the Sacramento Valley to Lake Tahoe, offering diverse landscapes from oak-covered foothills to alpine peaks. Auburn, a notable town, blends Gold Rush history with outdoor recreation, featuring historic downtown streets and trails along the American River. The county is located northeast of Sacramento, with commutes to the state capital facilitated by services like the Placer Commuter Express. Residents enjoy extensive outdoor recreation, including over 30 miles of trails at Hidden Falls Regional Park, access to lakes like Folsom and Rollins for water sports, and winter activities in the Sierra Nevada.
Life in Placer County attracts families and remote workers, drawn by highly-rated public schools and a variety of communities. The economy is expanding with investments in commercial and residential development, as well as energy and infrastructure. Healthcare and local government are significant employers. The county's economic development initiatives aim to maintain its quality of life by fostering a diverse economy.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 9.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Placer Ranch Specific Plan (Placer One)
Taylor Builders, Sacramento State, Sierra College
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Sunset Area Infrastructure Financing Plan
Placer County
|
$607M | Planned |
|
Placer Vineyards
Multiple Developers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Country Acres Solar Project
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Clēnera
|
$450M | Under Construction |
|
Roseville Energy Park
City of Roseville
|
$225M | Operating |
|
Placer County Government Center Master Plan
Placer County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Placer County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #799 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $109,375, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Placer County is $627,100 with median rent at $1,874/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1744, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.78% of Placer County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.