1st Advantage MortgageNapa County households have a median income of $111,471 and median rent of $2,237 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Napa County offer.
On this page
- Napa County by the numbers
- Napa County industries and commutes
- Where Napa County differs from the rest of California
- Renting and owning in Napa County
- Paychecks and income spread in Napa County
- Napa County communities by population
- How Napa County compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Napa County
- Local borrowing considerations for Napa County
- $9,289 a month: the Napa County median budget
- Steps before you apply in Napa County
- Lender oversight for Napa County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Napa County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Napa County's population at 134,869; only 33 of California's 58 county-level areas are larger. Napa County spans 752 square miles; with 134,869 people, that is 179.4 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Napa, CA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (5 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Napa, with about 78,239 residents, or 58% of the county.
Napa County industries and commutes
Top Napa County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 13%. Napa County over-indexes on manufacturing: 13% versus 9% in California. 5.2% of Napa County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 15%; under 15 minutes: 33%.
| Sector | Napa County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.9% | +4.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.7% | -2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Where Napa County differs from the rest of California
The 3 Napa County numbers that rank furthest from typical in California, and what each means for a borrower:
- On median home value, Napa County sits near the top of California at $869,500, 8th highest of 58. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- On median household income, Napa County sits near the top of California at $111,471, 10th highest of 58. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
- The poverty rate: 8.5% in Napa County. Only 9 of 58 California counties are lower. Even here, a fee-first loan offer is a scam.
Renting and owning in Napa County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $2,237 in Napa County versus $2,036 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 55% in Napa County, 55% statewide. Median value $869,500; median income $111,471; ratio 7.8. Homeowners 63%, renters 37%.
| Napa County | California | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 63% | 56% | +7.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 38% | +2.5 pts |
| Median home value | $869,500 | $734,700 | 18% higher |
| Median gross rent | $2,237/mo | $2,036/mo | 10% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 55% | -0.5 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?
Paychecks and income spread in Napa County
At $111,471, the typical Napa County household income is 70% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 9 California counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Napa County | Difference from California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.4% | -3.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 30.7% | -1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 24.2% | +3.7 pts |
14% under $35,000 and 55% at $100,000 or more: that is the Napa County income split. Napa County counts about 11,406 residents below the poverty line, 8.5% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.493 here. For a borrower in Napa County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Napa County communities by population
Places, by size: the top 11 of 11. Roughly 12% of Napa County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Silverado Resort ($173,832) and Yountville ($80,342) mark the top and bottom of Napa County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $1,504 in Angwin to $3,501 in Silverado Resort. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa | city | 78,239 | $105,963 | $2,282 | 15 mi |
| American Canyon | city | 21,691 | $121,700 | $2,537 | 23 mi |
| St. Helena | city | 5,318 | $148,750 | $2,535 | 8 mi |
| Calistoga | city | 5,111 | $85,446 | $1,767 | 15 mi |
| Yountville | city | 3,348 | $80,342 | $2,399 | 8 mi |
| Angwin | CDP | 2,931 | $117,500 | $1,504 | 8 mi |
| Silverado Resort | CDP | 892 | $173,832 | $3,501 | 11 mi |
| Deer Park | CDP | 720 | $136,615 | $1,641 | 8 mi |
| Moskowite Corner | CDP | 225 | $145,326 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Rutherford | CDP | 84 | $250,001 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Oakville | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Napa County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 47 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Napa County; Marin County is highest at $149,091 and Colusa County lowest at $75,672.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa County | - | $111,471 | $2,237/mo | 63% |
| Yolo County, CA | 26 mi | $91,752 | $1,857/mo | 54% |
| Solano County, CA | 27 mi | $100,401 | $2,163/mo | 63% |
| Sonoma County, CA | 32 mi | $104,674 | $2,158/mo | 63% |
| Marin County, CA | 39 mi | $149,091 | $2,668/mo | 65% |
| Contra Costa County, CA | 45 mi | $127,229 | $2,375/mo | 68% |
| Colusa County, CA | 47 mi | $75,672 | $1,157/mo | 62% |
People and households in Napa County
In Napa County, 40% of adults have at least a four-year degree (37% in California). About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Napa County | Compared with California | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | +5.0 yrs | +1.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.8% | +2.7 pts | +17.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.9% | -0.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | -0.9 pts | -2.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | -2.3 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 14.6% | -2.6 pts | +5.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | -3.5 pts | -4.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | -1.4 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Napa County
Based on the Napa County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Strong-credit shopping. Many Napa County households (55%) earn six figures; prequalify with several lenders at once.
- Napa County rent burden. 55% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Consolidating cards in Napa County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
$9,289 a month: the Napa County median budget
How much room does a median Napa County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $9,289 a month: gross income for a household at the Napa County median
- 24% goes to median rent ($2,237)
- Under a 36% cap, $3,344 total minus rent leaves $1,107
- Under a 43% cap, $3,994 total minus rent leaves $1,757
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in Napa County
A short checklist for Napa County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A California license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Napa County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Napa County borrowers answers to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. If a Napa County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. Statewide data and rules: California guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Napa County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Napa County earn?
The median is $111,471; 55% earn $100,000 or more and 14% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Napa County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $2,237 a month; 55% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Napa County?
By population: Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Napa County or elsewhere in California, the same rules apply.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Napa County?
Look it up with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.