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San Joaquin County, California — County Report Card

CA

#55 in California

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
33.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 91.2Soil Quality 62.6Health 56.3

County Report Card

About San Joaquin County, California

San Joaquin significantly trails national benchmarks

San Joaquin County scores 33.1 out of 100, falling 16.9 points short of the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the bottom 18% of all U.S. counties for livability.

Lowest-ranked California county in this group

San Joaquin's 33.1 trails the California state average of 40.9 by 7.8 points, placing it among the state's least livable counties. The county faces substantial structural challenges to improving resident outcomes.

Affordability and solid incomes provide foundation

San Joaquin offers the most affordable median housing at $494,500 and gross rent at $1,633 monthly among these eight counties, enabling entry-level homeownership. A median household income of $88,531 (income score: 91.2) provides reasonable earning power to support households.

Health, schools, and safety all significantly underperform

The health score of 56.3 indicates concerning gaps in healthcare access, while schools score only 38.9—among the weakest in the state. Most critically, the safety score of 10.8 signals elevated crime and violence, making neighborhoods feel unstable despite affordable housing.

Suited for hardy first-time homebuyers with resilience

San Joaquin attracts budget-conscious first-time homebuyers and families prioritizing affordability over school quality and safety. Prospective residents should be prepared to manage crime concerns, seek private schools or supplemental education, and cultivate strong community networks.

2040608010056.24.110.856.338.991.21.44547.8Tax56.2Cost4.1Safety10.8Health56.3Schools38.9Income91.2Risk1.4Water45Weather47.833.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

San Joaquin County DNA

Foverall

How San Joaquin County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

San Joaquin County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (1.4/100), though Income (91.2/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
56.2
Cost
4.1-43.9
Safety
10.8-44.2
Health
56.3
Schools
38.9-15.100000000000001
Income
91.2+40.2
Risk
1.4-45.6
Water
45-13
Weather
47.8-8.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in San Joaquin County

Whether buying or refinancing in San Joaquin County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$494,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,633/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$494,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$65,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $88,531/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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Nearby counties

Stanislaus County
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35.6
Sacramento County
California
38.3
Contra Costa County
California
40.1
Alameda County
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Solano County
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Calaveras County
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Santa Clara County
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Deep Dives

San Joaquin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Joaquin County

via TaxByCounty

San Joaquin taxes exceed national median

San Joaquin's effective tax rate of 0.765% sits above the national median of 0.714%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax of $3,782 is 41% higher than the national median of $2,690, driven by the $494,500 median home value.

San Joaquin ranks above state average

San Joaquin County's 0.765% effective tax rate exceeds California's state average of 0.714%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier among state counties. The median tax of $3,782 remains slightly below the state median of $4,045.

San Joaquin moderately taxes compared inland

San Joaquin's 0.765% rate sits between Sacramento's 0.755% and Riverside's 0.821%, placing it in the middle of the inland Valley region. Home values are comparable to neighboring counties, keeping tax burdens relatively competitive.

Median San Joaquin home costs $3,782

With a median home value of $494,500, San Joaquin homeowners pay approximately $3,782 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see total property-related taxes reach $4,147.

Request a free assessment review

San Joaquin County residents should verify their property assessments, as overvaluation is a common issue statewide. Filing an assessment appeal costs nothing and could deliver annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Joaquin County

via CostByCounty

San Joaquin rents align closely with America's

San Joaquin County's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average of 22.4%, placing it among California's most affordable counties by comparison. With median household income of $88,531—18% above the national average of $74,755—San Joaquin offers genuine housing relief.

San Joaquin: California's affordability champion

San Joaquin's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just below California's state average of 22.4%, making it the most balanced housing market in the examined counties. The county delivers both reasonable rents and solid incomes, creating true affordability in expensive California.

San Joaquin undercuts all Central Valley peers

San Joaquin's $1,633 median rent is $69 cheaper than Sacramento ($1,702) and $181 below Riverside ($1,814), offering genuine inland value. Home values of $494,500 nearly match Sacramento ($498,900), making San Joaquin a Central Valley affordability standout.

Housing claims less than one-fifth in San Joaquin

San Joaquin renters pay $1,633 monthly while homeowners spend $1,891—a $258 gap indicating balanced ownership accessibility. At $88,531 median income, housing expenses consume just 22.1% of typical earnings, leaving maximum financial flexibility.

San Joaquin: California's best-kept secret

Seeking California living without compromise? San Joaquin delivers the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio (22.1%) with $1,633 median rents and $494,500 homes. Families prioritizing affordability and financial flexibility should prioritize San Joaquin over pricier coastal or inland alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Joaquin County

via IncomeByCounty

San Joaquin earns 18% above nation

San Joaquin County's median household income of $88,531 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by nearly $14,000. The Central Valley agricultural hub demonstrates solid economic performance despite its rural character.

Matches California's average income

At $88,531, San Joaquin's median household income sits just above California's $87,001 state average. The county ranks in the middle tier among California's 58 counties, balancing lower housing costs with more modest wage growth than coastal regions.

San Joaquin competes in Central Valley

San Joaquin's $88,531 income nearly matches Sacramento County ($88,724) and significantly exceeds San Bernardino ($82,184). The county reflects typical Central Valley economic patterns, with agriculture, logistics, and regional manufacturing driving incomes.

Rent-to-income ratio is reasonable

San Joaquin's rent-to-income ratio of 22.1% is healthier than many California counties. With a median home value of $494,500, the county offers more housing affordability than coastal regions, making homeownership more achievable for working families.

Build wealth through local opportunity

San Joaquin's $88,531 median income and lower housing costs create a favorable environment for wealth accumulation. Residents should capitalize on the county's affordability by investing in property, retirement accounts, and local business opportunities that agricultural and logistics sectors provide.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in San Joaquin County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County carries a safety score of 95.7 and a total crime rate of 2,695.6 per 100,000. This crime rate is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. The county faces unique safety pressures as a key transit and logistics hub for Northern California.

San Joaquin’s California Standing

The county's safety score of 95.7 sits just under the state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 2,695.6 is also higher than the California average of 2,355.2 per 100,000 residents. 14 reporting agencies track these statistics across the county's growing urban centers.

Regional Comparisons in the Valley

San Joaquin’s total crime rate of 2,695.6 is lower than Sacramento County's 2,966.7. However, it is much higher than San Benito County, which reports a rate of only 1,122.8. This highlights a trend of higher crime in the Central Valley's more populated corridors.

Violent and Property Crime Details

Violent crime is a concern in San Joaquin, with a rate of 677.1 per 100,000, nearly double the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also slightly above the national mark at 2,018.5 compared to 2,015.7. These figures indicate a higher risk for violent incidents than many other regions.

Proactive Security for Residents

Given the high violent crime rate, residents should prioritize comprehensive home security and personal safety awareness. Effective outdoor lighting and smart security systems can help deter criminal activity. Staying connected with the 14 local reporting agencies provides valuable updates on neighborhood safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in San Joaquin County

via SchoolsByCounty

A growing educational hub for the Central Valley

San Joaquin County features 248 public schools serving 151,480 students across 52 districts. The landscape is primary-heavy, with 158 elementary schools supporting the region's young population.

Work to do on graduation and funding

The county's graduation rate of 80.7% falls below the 87% national average, and its school score of 51.1 lags the state average of 56.0. Spending remains at $8,144 per student, which is nearly $5,000 less than the national per-pupil benchmark.

Stockton leads with a major charter sector

Stockton Unified is the largest district with 35,374 students, followed by Lodi Unified. Notably, nearly 20% of the county's schools are charters, representing one of the highest charter shares in the region.

A mix of city centers and rural stretches

Schools are fairly evenly split between city and suburban locales, with an average enrollment of 629 students. Large regional high schools like Lincoln High in Stockton serve nearly 3,000 students each.

Searching for value in emerging districts

Homebuyers in San Joaquin often look toward growing districts like Lammersville or Manteca for newer school facilities. The high availability of charter schools offers families significant choice in their children's educational path.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Joaquin County

via RiskByCounty

San Joaquin County's risk exceeds U.S. average

San Joaquin County's composite risk score of 98.60 places it in the "Relatively High" category, well above typical U.S. county hazard levels. This score surpasses California's average of 88.72, indicating substantial multi-hazard exposure across the Central Valley.

Third-riskiest county in California state

San Joaquin ranks among California's top five most disaster-threatened counties, driven primarily by extreme earthquake (99.30) and flood (97.74) risks. The county's Central Valley location creates chronic flooding vulnerability during wet seasons.

Comparable risk to Sacramento County

San Joaquin (98.60) is nearly equivalent to neighboring Sacramento County (98.12) in overall risk, with both facing severe earthquake and flood threats. Both Central Valley counties significantly outpace rural San Benito (85.24).

Earthquakes and floods are twin threats

San Joaquin's earthquake risk (99.30) and flood risk (97.74) dominate the hazard profile, with the latter heightened by Delta waterways and winter storm patterns. Wildfire risk (91.98) adds a third significant threat during dry seasons.

Earthquake and flood coverage essential

San Joaquin residents must add earthquake coverage to standard policies immediately, and should evaluate flood insurance if located in mapped flood zones or near levees and waterways. These two hazards account for the vast majority of the county's disaster risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in San Joaquin County

via WaterByCounty

San Joaquin Struggles with Compliance

San Joaquin County holds a 'D' grade for water quality, having recorded 179 health violations in five years. Its violation rate of 24.1 per 100,000 people is better than the state average of 49.1, yet the low grade signals significant systemic issues. Many of these violations occur in smaller, rural water systems.

Oxygen and Pesticide Issues in the Delta

The 2022 cycle reveals that 47.7% of the county's 109 assessed water bodies are impaired. Top causes include low dissolved oxygen, pathogens, and the pesticide chlorpyrifos. This high rate of impairment is significantly worse than the California average of 37.2%.

Deep Data on Pesticides and Nutrients

A large network of 203 monitoring sites has logged a massive 97,925 measurements over five years. Sampling is heavily weighted toward organics, pesticides, and nutrients to track agricultural impacts on the Delta. This high volume of data is critical for managing the complex chemistry of the region's waterways.

San Joaquin River Flows Drop

The San Joaquin River near Vernalis is flowing at 1,550 cubic feet per second, only 35% of its long-term mean. This significantly reduced flow for the 13,539 square mile basin can exacerbate issues with dissolved oxygen and pesticide concentrations. Lower flows reduce the river's ability to flush out pollutants effectively.

Filtration Advised for Organic Pollutants

With a 'D' grade and high pesticide levels in the watershed, residents should consider carbon-based filtration to remove organic contaminants. Low river flows currently increase the risk of concentrated pollutants, making it important to monitor local water reports. If you use a private well, test specifically for pesticides and nitrates common in the area.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Joaquin County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and dry in San Joaquin

San Joaquin County averages 62.5°F, making it warmer than the U.S. median. The region is relatively dry, with only 15.9 inches of annual precipitation.

A typical Central Valley profile

The county's 62.5°F average is higher than the California state average of 58.7°F. Its precipitation of 15.9 inches is significantly below the state average of 25.8 inches.

Mirroring the Sacramento climate

San Joaquin is nearly identical to Sacramento County in temperature and rainfall. Both counties experience the same 75.2°F summer average and zero annual snowfall.

Hot summers and foggy winters

There are 84 extreme heat days per year, with July averages reaching 76.6°F. Winters are cool and damp, averaging 47.9°F in January with no recorded snowfall.

Prepare for significant summer heat

Reliable AC is a must for the 84 days of 90-plus degree weather. Residents should also prepare for winter tule fog which often accompanies the cool 49.2°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Joaquin County

via SoilByCounty

The Gold Standard for Agriculture

San Joaquin County boasts a near-perfect pH of 6.52, aligning almost exactly with the national median of 6.5. This neutral profile makes it one of the most versatile and productive agricultural regions in the state. The soil chemistry is ideally suited for a vast array of crops.

A Balanced and Productive Mix

The soil consists of 43.2% sand, 30.8% silt, and 22.1% clay. This balanced texture offers excellent workability while retaining enough clay to hold onto vital nutrients. It is a dream composition for both commercial farmers and backyard gardeners.

Richest Organic Matter in the Region

Organic matter is impressively high at 3.84%, well above the California state average of 3.30%. With a water capacity of 0.143 in/in, these soils are built for high-yield productivity. This natural fertility reduces the need for heavy chemical fertilizers.

Managing Infiltration and Runoff

Falling into hydrologic group D, these soils can have low infiltration rates when they become saturated. This characteristic requires careful drainage management for both large-scale farming and home gardening. Proper irrigation scheduling is key to avoiding standing water in these heavy soils.

California's Garden in Zone 9b

The 9b hardiness zone is world-renowned for grapes, walnuts, and cherries. You are living on some of the best soil in California, offering limitless potential for your home garden. Start planting your dream orchard today and enjoy the bounty of the valley.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Joaquin County

via LawnByCounty

Meeting the state average in San Joaquin

San Joaquin County has a lawn difficulty score of 51.4, aligning almost perfectly with the California state average. Situated in Hardiness Zone 9b, this region offers a standard agricultural climate that rewards consistent care.

Navigating the Central Valley heat

The county faces 84 extreme heat days a year, significantly more than the 59-day state average. With 15.9 inches of rainfall, you'll need to be diligent with summer irrigation to prevent your lawn from going dormant or dying.

Balanced soil for healthy turf

Your soil pH of 6.52 is nearly ideal for turfgrass, allowing for excellent nutrient absorption. With a composition of 22.1% clay and 43.2% sand, your ground provides a stable foundation that balances drainage with moisture retention.

Capitalizing on a drought-free streak

With zero weeks in drought over the last year, San Joaquin lawns are currently in a strong position. Maintaining this health requires deep-root watering strategies now to build the resilience needed for future dry spells.

Planting for the valley climate

Tall fescue is a local favorite for its deep roots and heat resistance. Plan your seeding for shortly after the last spring frost on February 9 to establish a thick carpet before the July heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Joaquin County's county score?
San Joaquin County, California has a composite county score of 33.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does San Joaquin County rank among counties in California?
San Joaquin County ranks #55 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in San Joaquin County, California?
The median annual property tax in San Joaquin County is $3,782, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns San Joaquin County a tax score of 56.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Joaquin County?
The median household income in San Joaquin County, California is $88,531 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Joaquin County earns an income score of 91.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Joaquin County, California a good place to live?
San Joaquin County scores 33.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #55 in California. The best way to evaluate San Joaquin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare San Joaquin County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.