1st Advantage MortgageThe median Sierra County household earns $63,355, and 4% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Sierra County
- Employment and commuting in Sierra County
- Paychecks and income spread in Sierra County
- Housing costs in Sierra County
- Places inside Sierra County
- How Sierra County compares with nearby counties
- A Sierra County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Sierra County
- Who lives in Sierra County, in numbers
- California rules that apply in Sierra County
- Steps before you apply in Sierra County
- More guides for Sierra County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Sierra County
With an estimated 2,746 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Sierra County ranks 57th of 58 in California for population. Spread over 953 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sierra County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 11 Census places inside Sierra County, Loyalton leads by population with about 748; 1 of the 11 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Sierra County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Employment and commuting in Sierra County
The biggest employer of Sierra County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Compared with California, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (10% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Sierra County averages 12.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.6%). 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 17% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.5% of the total (7.1% statewide).
| Sector | Sierra County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.0% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.5% | +4.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.0% | +8.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.7% | +3.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Sierra County
The median household income in Sierra County is $63,355; statewide it is $99,122, so Sierra County runs 36% below California as a whole. Only 51 California counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Sierra County | +/- vs California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.2% | +11.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +12.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.4% | -13.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.1% | -10.4 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. 4.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.0%). None of these numbers decides a Sierra County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Sierra County
By the Census definition, 43% of Sierra County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $331,900, about 5.2 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 72%. Median construction year: 1971.
| Housing | Sierra County | California statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $331,900 | $734,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 56% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 45% | 38% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.7% | 3.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 42% | 7% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Sierra County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Sierra County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Sierra County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 2,473 people, so roughly 10% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Sierra County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalton | city | 748 | $65,556 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Sierra Brooks | CDP | 397 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Calpine | CDP | 356 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Sierraville | CDP | 351 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Sierra City | CDP | 250 | $95,696 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Downieville | CDP | 126 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Goodyears Bar | CDP | 122 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Verdi | CDP | 70 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
| Pike | CDP | 34 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
| Alleghany | CDP | 19 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Sattley | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
How Sierra County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 23 to 54 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. All of the six report a higher median household income than Sierra County; Placer County is highest at $115,998 and Plumas County lowest at $66,031. Some neighbors are in Nevada. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sierra County resident follows California rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra County | - | $63,355 | n/a | 72% |
| Nevada County, CA | 23 mi | $89,882 | $1,677/mo | 75% |
| Plumas County, CA | 33 mi | $66,031 | $1,194/mo | 75% |
| Placer County, CA | 37 mi | $115,998 | $2,069/mo | 75% |
| Yuba County, CA | 49 mi | $76,373 | $1,311/mo | 63% |
| Carson City, NV | 51 mi | $72,355 | $1,248/mo | 62% |
| Storey County, NV | 54 mi | $93,409 | $1,153/mo | 96% |
A Sierra County household budget, worked through
Sierra County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,280 a month: gross income for a household at the Sierra County median
- Sierra County has no reliable median rent in the survey, so use your own housing cost; 36% of $5,280 is $1,901
If your rent is above the median, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Sierra County
A few patterns in the Sierra County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Sierra County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 55, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Who lives in Sierra County, in numbers
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 13.7%, against 6.6% for California.
| Indicator | Sierra County | All of California | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.7 | 37.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.8% | 37.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 15.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.7% | 6.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.8% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 4.4% | 12.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 12.6% | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Sierra County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 15.9% |
California rules that apply in Sierra County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Sierra County, check the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the California state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Sierra County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for California borrowers.
- Ask a Sierra County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Sierra County
For statewide rules and data, see the California guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sierra County a high-income county?
Its $63,355 median ranks 52nd of 58 California counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
I live in a small Sierra County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Loyalton, Sierra Brooks, Calpine, Sierraville, Sierra City and 6 more.
Are Sierra County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Sierra County check a lender's license?
With the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.