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Shasta County, CA

RANK #684 / 996  ·  POP 181,852  ·  CA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%

Shasta County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Shasta County?

Shasta County, California, is distinguished by its natural landscape and outdoor recreation opportunities. The county seat, Redding, features the Sundial Bridge, an architectural landmark spanning the Sacramento River. Located in Northern California, Shasta County sits about four hours north of San Francisco, serving as a gateway to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. Commutes within the county can be as short as ten minutes. The community offers access to lakes like Shasta Lake and Whiskeytown Lake, rivers, and extensive trail networks for hiking, biking, and water sports. Lassen Volcanic National Park and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park are also within reach.

Life in Shasta County often revolves around its natural surroundings, attracting families and outdoor enthusiasts. Schools like University Preparatory School and Shasta High School are recognized in the region. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and engineering and design. The county also has a strong foundation in traditional industries like forestry and tourism. Recent economic developments indicate growth in these areas, with local businesses expanding and new ventures emerging. Public transportation, primarily through the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA), offers bus services and vanpool programs for commuters.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.5x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.5%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-1.4%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
5.7

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Shasta County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
181,852
-0.05% YoY
Median Household Income
$68,347
Median Home Value
$327,500
-1.44% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,232
Average Annual Pay
$59,352
+3.9% YoY
Employment
70,090
+2.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2087
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.62%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$372,500
Days on Market
58
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.4
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.4%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
30.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
28.1%
Building Permits (2024)
246
Single-Family Permits
246

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$550M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Millville Plains Solar + Storage Project
Millville Plains Energy
$300M Under Construction
Fountain Wind Project
Fountain Wind LLC (Repsol Renewables)
$200M Denied
New Residential Construction (Multiple Subdivisions)
Various Builders
$50M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.5% 87 percentile
Population Growth -0.1% 27 percentile
Income Growth +10.3% 84 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 35 percentile
Home Price Change -1.4% 18 percentile
Rent Growth +5.3% 82 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 18 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shasta County, CA a good place to move to?

Shasta County has a Boom Town Index score of 31/100, ranking #684 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.3% and a median household income of $68,347, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Shasta County affordable?

The median home value in Shasta County is $327,500 with median rent at $1,232/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2087, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Shasta County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.3%. Home values changed -1.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Shasta County?

Yes — 3.62% of Shasta County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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