RANK #508 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 43 CA · POP 2,197,104
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
San Bernardino County, California, the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, is often recognized for its diverse landscapes, from the peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains to the vast Mojave Desert. A notable landmark, the historic Route 66, runs through the county, with sites like vintage motels and diners preserving its legacy. Located within the Inland Empire, the county is approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Commute options include Metrolink rail services, which connect to Los Angeles and Ontario International Airport, and various rideshare and vanpool programs. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and camping in the San Bernardino National Forest, fishing and boating at Silverwood Lake and Lake Gregory, and exploring Joshua Tree National Park.
Life in San Bernardino County offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Towns like Rancho Cucamonga are known for their schools and recreational opportunities, while Redlands features historic architecture and community events. The county's economy is driven by sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. Recent developments include a new high-speed rail link to Las Vegas with a station in Rancho Cucamonga, and large-scale master-planned communities like Silverwood in Hesperia, which will include thousands of homes and significant open space. The county also supports small business development, including programs for minority entrepreneurs.
San Bernardino County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.8% matches the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 20.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
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.
San Bernardino County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#508). Median household income is $85,478 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
San Bernardino County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $505,000 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 $1,801/month on average.
Population and employment in San Bernardino County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted -0.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.92% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests San Bernardino County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.