Redding
RANK #819 / 996 NAT · #22 / 43 CA · POP 181,852
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
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.
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 →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Shasta County scores just 17/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #819 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.3% and median household income of $68,347 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Shasta County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $327,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,232/month on average.
Employers in Shasta County are hiring — job growth of +2.3% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved -1.4% 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 3.62% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Shasta County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.