1st Advantage MortgageAbout 57% of Humboldt County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,160. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Humboldt County
- Work, industries and travel time in Humboldt County
- Household income in Humboldt County
- What it costs to live in Humboldt County
- Places inside Humboldt County
- How Humboldt County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Humboldt County
- Reading the Humboldt County data as a borrower
- People and households in Humboldt County
- California rules that apply in Humboldt County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Humboldt County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Humboldt County
Humboldt County is home to about 134,541 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 35th most populous of 58 county-level areas in California. Spread over 3,568 square miles, that works out to roughly 37.7 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Humboldt County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 40 Census places inside Humboldt County, Eureka leads by population with about 26,010; 7 of the 40 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in Humboldt County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Humboldt County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 27% locally and 22% for California. Averaged over the five survey years, 9.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. Only 6.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Humboldt County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +4.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.2% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -5.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Humboldt County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Humboldt County
Humboldt County households have a median income of $61,160 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 53rd of 58 in California.
| Income band | Share in Humboldt County | Difference from California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.1% | +11.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.4% | +8.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -12.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Humboldt County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. 18.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.0%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Humboldt County median.
What it costs to live in Humboldt County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,287 in Humboldt County versus $2,036 statewide. By the Census definition, 60% of Humboldt County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $446,900, a typical Humboldt County house costs 7.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 57% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1973.
| Humboldt County | California | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,287/mo | $2,036/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $446,900 | $734,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 57% | 56% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 60% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 38% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.9% | 3.5% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Places inside Humboldt County
The table lists the 14 largest of 40 Census places in Humboldt County, by population. Together all 40 hold about 113,503 people, so roughly 16% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $97,225 at the median in Cutten, $23,720 in Redway. No Humboldt County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 40.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | city | 26,010 | $57,662 | $1,195 | 13 mi |
| Arcata | city | 18,607 | $46,713 | $1,327 | 13 mi |
| McKinleyville | CDP | 17,113 | $73,327 | $1,607 | 19 mi |
| Fortuna | city | 12,326 | $62,289 | $1,168 | 14 mi |
| Myrtletown | CDP | 5,322 | $60,457 | $1,583 | 12 mi |
| Humboldt Hill | CDP | 3,551 | $71,667 | $1,896 | 14 mi |
| Cutten | CDP | 3,550 | $97,225 | $1,636 | 12 mi |
| Rio Dell | city | 3,349 | $42,753 | $1,042 | 18 mi |
| Pine Hills | CDP | 2,875 | $78,393 | $1,633 | 12 mi |
| Bayview | CDP | 2,803 | $48,406 | $1,085 | 14 mi |
| Hoopa | CDP | 2,233 | $64,643 | $887 | 28 mi |
| Ferndale | city | 1,552 | $63,142 | $1,028 | 20 mi |
| Westhaven-Moonstone | CDP | 1,537 | $66,815 | $2,500 | 24 mi |
| Garberville | CDP | 1,415 | $39,542 | $1,293 | 42 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Humboldt County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 43 to 99 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Humboldt County; Shasta County is highest at $72,636 and Trinity County lowest at $53,002.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt County | - | $61,160 | $1,287/mo | 57% |
| Trinity County, CA | 43 mi | $53,002 | $1,073/mo | 72% |
| Del Norte County, CA | 72 mi | $67,058 | $1,233/mo | 70% |
| Mendocino County, CA | 92 mi | $68,092 | $1,317/mo | 62% |
| Siskiyou County, CA | 95 mi | $59,095 | $1,091/mo | 69% |
| Tehama County, CA | 98 mi | $63,784 | $1,184/mo | 67% |
| Shasta County, CA | 99 mi | $72,636 | $1,317/mo | 66% |
Room for a loan payment in Humboldt County
Humboldt County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $61,160 a year is $5,097 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,287, takes 25% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $548 a month
- $905: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Humboldt County's.
Reading the Humboldt County data as a borrower
Based on the Humboldt County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 19% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 60% of Humboldt County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
People and households in Humboldt County
Degree holders: 33% of adults over 25. 4.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Humboldt County | California | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 | 37.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.1% | 37.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | 15.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 6.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.0% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 12.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.0% | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Humboldt County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.9% |
California rules that apply in Humboldt County
Humboldt County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the California state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Humboldt County:
- Price the Humboldt County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Humboldt County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Humboldt County
For statewide rules and data, see the California guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Humboldt County household make?
About $61,160 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 38% below the California median.
Is Humboldt County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,287 against $2,036 statewide, and 60% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Humboldt County?
By population: Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, Fortuna, Myrtletown. The county has 40 Census places in all.
Does living in Humboldt County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Humboldt County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Humboldt County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In California it is the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.