RANK #779 / 996 · POP 217,141 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.4%
Yolo County, California, is known for its agricultural landscape and the vibrant university town of Davis. Located directly west of Sacramento, the county offers a blend of rural charm and urban accessibility. Commute options include Yolobus, which provides service throughout Yolo County and to downtown Sacramento, and Amtrak, with daily stops in Davis. The county boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including the 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, a haven for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Residents can also enjoy hiking trails along Putah Creek and Cache Creek, kayaking at Lake Solano, and exploring wildflower displays in the spring.
Life in Yolo County combines agricultural roots with a focus on education and innovation, largely influenced by the University of California, Davis, a major employer and a center for agriculture and biotechnology research. The economy is driven by its diverse agricultural industry, including leading crops like tomatoes, wine grapes, and almonds, alongside a growing biotechnology sector and food processing. The county also sees development in warehousing and distribution, with companies like FedEx and major retail distribution centers operating in the area. Public schools in districts like Davis Joint Unified are rated above average.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Rural Community Investment Program Infrastructure Projects
Yolo County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
New Residential Construction (Multiple Communities)
Various (e.g., DeNova Homes, Lennar, Seeno Homes)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Yolo County has a Boom Town Index score of 22/100, ranking #779 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $85,097, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Yolo County is $555,200 with median rent at $1,655/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1533, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -1.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.74% of Yolo County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.