1st Advantage MortgageDel Norte County households have a median income of $67,058 and median rent of $1,233 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Del Norte County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Del Norte County, CA
- Del Norte County housing compared with California
- The $67,058 median and what sits around it
- Labor force snapshot: Del Norte County
- Where Del Norte County differs from the rest of California
- Census places in Del Norte County
- Del Norte County and the counties next door
- $5,588 a month: the Del Norte County median budget
- What the numbers mean for Del Norte County borrowers
- More Del Norte County figures
- Lender oversight for Del Norte County
- Checklist for Del Norte County applicants
- More guides for Del Norte County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Del Norte County, CA
Roughly 27,107 residents live in Del Norte County, California, 49th by population among the state's 58 counties and county equivalents. Del Norte County spans 1,006 square miles; with 27,107 people, that is 26.9 per square mile. Metro status: none; Del Norte County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Crescent City, about 6,046 residents (22% of Del Norte County); 7 Census places in all.
Del Norte County housing compared with California
A typical Del Norte County rental runs $1,233 a month including utilities, which is 39% below California. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 58% in Del Norte County, 55% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $342,000, about 5.1 times the median household income. Homeowners 70%, renters 30%. Against the median U.S. county, Del Norte County rent is 41% above.
| Home costs | Del Norte County | California | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,233/mo | $2,036/mo | 39% lower |
| Median home value | $342,000 | $734,700 | 53% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 56% | +14.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 55% | +3.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 38% | -14.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 22.1% | 3.5% | +18.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 15% | 7% | +7.7 pts |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The $67,058 median and what sits around it
The median household income in Del Norte County is $67,058; statewide it is $99,122, so Del Norte County runs 32% below California as a whole.
| Households earning | Del Norte County | +/- vs California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.5% | +9.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.5% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.5% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -15.0 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. 12.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.0%). A household earning below the $67,058 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Labor force snapshot: Del Norte County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; public administration is next with 17%. Relative to California (5%), public administration is 12 points bigger in Del Norte County (17%). Unemployment in Del Norte County, ACS five-year: 6.4%; California: 6.6%. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. No car: 8.2% of Del Norte County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Del Norte County | Gap to California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Public administration | 16.7% | +12.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -8.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Where Del Norte County differs from the rest of California
Ranked against the other 57 county-level areas in California, these are the Del Norte County figures furthest from the middle.
- The share of mobile homes: 22.1% in Del Norte County. Only 1 of 58 California counties are higher. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- Few California counties match Del Norte County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 7% here, 19% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 58. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Few California counties match Del Norte County on households without a vehicle: 8.2% here, 7.1% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 58. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
Census places in Del Norte County
11,941 of Del Norte County's 27,107 residents live in its 7 Census places (44%); the 7 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $37,633, Bertsch-Oceanview over Crescent City. From Crescent City to the smallest crossroads, Del Norte County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | city | 6,046 | $35,540 | $1,192 | 11 mi |
| Bertsch-Oceanview | CDP | 2,250 | $73,173 | $1,649 | 10 mi |
| Fort Dick | CDP | 1,365 | $70,610 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Klamath | CDP | 931 | $46,979 | $1,250 | 13 mi |
| Smith River | CDP | 898 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Gasquet | CDP | 346 | $48,750 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Hiouchi | CDP | 105 | $32,957 | n/a | 5 mi |
Del Norte County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 49 to 88 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Jackson County, $73,999. Poorest: Trinity County, $53,002. Del Norte County: $67,058. The list crosses into Oregon, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Norte County | - | $67,058 | $1,233/mo | 70% |
| Josephine County, OR | 49 mi | $60,098 | $1,194/mo | 72% |
| Curry County, OR | 51 mi | $62,244 | $1,241/mo | 74% |
| Humboldt County, CA | 72 mi | $61,160 | $1,287/mo | 57% |
| Siskiyou County, CA | 76 mi | $59,095 | $1,091/mo | 69% |
| Jackson County, OR | 81 mi | $73,999 | $1,358/mo | 66% |
| Trinity County, CA | 88 mi | $53,002 | $1,073/mo | 72% |
$5,588 a month: the Del Norte County median budget
Del Norte County's $67,058 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $5,588 gross per month ($67,058 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,233, which is 22% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $779 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,170 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,233, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Del Norte County borrowers
Del Norte County-specific points to check:
- 22% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 58% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More Del Norte County figures
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Del Norte County | Difference from California | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 | +2.0 yrs | -1.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.4% | -15.7 pts | -0.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | -1.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | -1.1 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | +1.2 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Work from home | 7.4% | -9.8 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | +0.9 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | -0.2 pts | +2.0 pts |
| Minutes to work | Del Norte County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.2% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Lender oversight for Del Norte County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Del Norte County resident can confirm its license with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: California guide.
Checklist for Del Norte County applicants
A short checklist for Del Norte County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Del Norte County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Del Norte County
For statewide rules and data, see the California guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Del Norte County a high-income county?
Its $67,058 median ranks 48th of 58 California counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Del Norte County?
$1,233 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
Can Del Norte County owners borrow against a $342,000 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Hiouchi covered?
Yes. Hiouchi is one of 7 Census places in Del Norte County, and this guide covers all of them.
Is the fit check different in Del Norte County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.