The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in California

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 358 towns of 500–10,000 people in California, scoring every town on all of these at once. #1 is Wrightwood, CA.

1. 25Reliez Valley, California

   Families: 95th percentile · Quiet: 59th percentile · First-time buyers: 69th percentile

   Reliez Valley is a community of 3,354 people in Contra Costa County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,740,200 against household income of $249,864; January lows average 42°F.

   3,354 people · Contra Costa County · median home $1,740,200 · income $249,864 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

   Full Reliez Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Oak View, California

   Families: 87th percentile · Quiet: 64th percentile · First-time buyers: 74th percentile

   Oak View is a community of 6,215 people in Ventura County, California. Homes have a median value of $819,100 against household income of $110,440; January lows average 35°F.

   6,215 people · Ventura County · median home $819,100 · income $110,440 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

   Full Oak View, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Lake California, California

   Families: 94th percentile · Quiet: 71st percentile · First-time buyers: 60th percentile

   Lake California is a community of 3,377 people in Tehama County, California. Homes have a median value of $352,800 against household income of $92,051; January lows average 38°F.

   3,377 people · Tehama County · median home $352,800 · income $92,051 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

   Full Lake California, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Cherry Valley, California

   Families: 64th percentile · Quiet: 62nd percentile · First-time buyers: 99th percentile

   Cherry Valley is a community of 6,509 people in Riverside County, California. Homes have a median value of $408,000 against household income of $76,895; January lows average 40°F.

   6,509 people · Riverside County · median home $408,000 · income $76,895 · Jan low 40°F · 10 in snow

   Full Cherry Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Templeton, California

   Families: 80th percentile · Quiet: 86th percentile · First-time buyers: 61st percentile

   Templeton is a community of 8,386 people in San Luis Obispo County, California. Homes have a median value of $810,400 against household income of $117,063; January lows average 34°F.

   8,386 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $810,400 · income $117,063 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

   Full Templeton, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Cabazon, California

   Families: 51st percentile · Quiet: 89th percentile · First-time buyers: 89th percentile

   Cabazon is a community of 2,629 people in Riverside County, California. Homes have a median value of $270,400 against household income of $48,704; January lows average 31°F.

   2,629 people · Riverside County · median home $270,400 · income $48,704 · Jan low 31°F · 11 in snow

   Full Cabazon, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Ben Lomond, California

   Families: 72nd percentile · Quiet: 61st percentile · First-time buyers: 96th percentile

   Ben Lomond is a community of 6,337 people in Santa Cruz County, California. Homes have a median value of $960,700 against household income of $130,041; January lows average 37°F.

   6,337 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $960,700 · income $130,041 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

   Full Ben Lomond, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Campo, California

   Families: 81st percentile · Quiet: 74th percentile · First-time buyers: 75th percentile

   Campo is a community of 2,955 people in San Diego County, California. Homes have a median value of $347,400 against household income of $79,327; January lows average 35°F.

   2,955 people · San Diego County · median home $347,400 · income $79,327 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

   Full Campo, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Happy Valley, California

   Families: 70th percentile · Quiet: 96th percentile · First-time buyers: 65th percentile

   Happy Valley is a community of 4,949 people in Shasta County, California. Homes have a median value of $334,100 against household income of $92,222; January lows average 38°F.

   4,949 people · Shasta County · median home $334,100 · income $92,222 · Jan low 38°F · 3 in snow

   Full Happy Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Salton City, California

    Families: 56th percentile · Quiet: 88th percentile · First-time buyers: 87th percentile

    Salton City is a community of 5,155 people in Imperial County, California. Homes have a median value of $200,600 against household income of $47,827; January lows average 49°F.

    5,155 people · Imperial County · median home $200,600 · income $47,827 · Jan low 49°F · 0 in snow

    Full Salton City, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Kelly Ridge, California

    Families: 50th percentile · Quiet: 88th percentile · First-time buyers: 94th percentile

    Kelly Ridge is a community of 3,006 people in Butte County, California. Homes have a median value of $277,600 against household income of $54,631; January lows average 40°F.

    3,006 people · Butte County · median home $277,600 · income $54,631 · Jan low 40°F · 22 in snow

    Full Kelly Ridge, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Acton, California

    Families: 85th percentile · Quiet: 89th percentile · First-time buyers: 58th percentile

    Acton is a community of 7,431 people in Los Angeles County, California. Homes have a median value of $733,400 against household income of $113,000; January lows average 35°F.

    7,431 people · Los Angeles County · median home $733,400 · income $113,000 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

    Full Acton, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Felton, California

    Families: 71st percentile · Quiet: 71st percentile · First-time buyers: 95th percentile

    Felton is a community of 4,489 people in Santa Cruz County, California. Homes have a median value of $900,500 against household income of $123,056; January lows average 37°F.

    4,489 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $900,500 · income $123,056 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

    Full Felton, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Sage, California

    Families: 65th percentile · Quiet: 82nd percentile · First-time buyers: 92nd percentile

    Sage is a community of 3,370 people in Riverside County, California. Homes have a median value of $569,300 against household income of $119,938; January lows average 44°F.

    3,370 people · Riverside County · median home $569,300 · income $119,938 · Jan low 44°F · 5 in snow

    Full Sage, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Squaw Valley, California

    Families: 74th percentile · Quiet: 77th percentile · First-time buyers: 94th percentile

    Squaw Valley is a community of 3,564 people in Fresno County, California. Homes have a median value of $271,700 against household income of $49,904; January lows average 26°F.

    3,564 people · Fresno County · median home $271,700 · income $49,904 · Jan low 26°F · 69 in snow

    Full Squaw Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Piñon Hills, California

    Families: 74th percentile · Quiet: 79th percentile · First-time buyers: 92nd percentile

    Piñon Hills is a community of 7,258 people in San Bernardino County, California. Homes have a median value of $440,600 against household income of $68,289; January lows average 26°F.

    7,258 people · San Bernardino County · median home $440,600 · income $68,289 · Jan low 26°F · 62 in snow

    Full Piñon Hills, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Vandenberg Village, California

    Families: 80th percentile · Quiet: 68th percentile · First-time buyers: 99th percentile

    Vandenberg Village is a community of 7,308 people in Santa Barbara County, California. Homes have a median value of $637,100 against household income of $110,904; January lows average 43°F.

    7,308 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $637,100 · income $110,904 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Vandenberg Village, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Mission Hills, California

    Families: 82nd percentile · Quiet: 69th percentile · First-time buyers: 98th percentile

    Mission Hills is a community of 3,571 people in Santa Barbara County, California. Homes have a median value of $492,900 against household income of $111,974; January lows average 43°F.

    3,571 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $492,900 · income $111,974 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Mission Hills, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Harbison Canyon, California

    Families: 85th percentile · Quiet: 70th percentile · First-time buyers: 97th percentile

    Harbison Canyon is a community of 4,048 people in San Diego County, California. Homes have a median value of $688,600 against household income of $130,302; January lows average 43°F.

    4,048 people · San Diego County · median home $688,600 · income $130,302 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Harbison Canyon, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Running Springs, California

    Families: 77th percentile · Quiet: 81st percentile · First-time buyers: 99th percentile

    Running Springs is a community of 5,268 people in San Bernardino County, California. Homes have a median value of $385,000 against household income of $81,516; January lows average 29°F.

    5,268 people · San Bernardino County · median home $385,000 · income $81,516 · Jan low 29°F · 22 in snow

    Full Running Springs, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Crest, California

    Families: 81st percentile · Quiet: 78th percentile · First-time buyers: 99th percentile

    Crest is a community of 2,828 people in San Diego County, California. Homes have a median value of $724,500 against household income of $110,000; January lows average 43°F.

    2,828 people · San Diego County · median home $724,500 · income $110,000 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Crest, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Silver Lakes, California

    Families: 92nd percentile · Quiet: 68th percentile · First-time buyers: 98th percentile

    Silver Lakes is a community of 6,317 people in San Bernardino County, California. Homes have a median value of $383,600 against household income of $115,829; January lows average 33°F.

    6,317 people · San Bernardino County · median home $383,600 · income $115,829 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

    Full Silver Lakes, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Eucalyptus Hills, California

    Families: 91st percentile · Quiet: 80th percentile · First-time buyers: 90th percentile

    Eucalyptus Hills is a community of 5,517 people in San Diego County, California. Homes have a median value of $857,200 against household income of $144,140; January lows average 43°F.

    5,517 people · San Diego County · median home $857,200 · income $144,140 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Eucalyptus Hills, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Agua Dulce, California

    Families: 91st percentile · Quiet: 91st percentile · First-time buyers: 80th percentile

    Agua Dulce is a community of 3,451 people in Los Angeles County, California. Homes have a median value of $933,400 against household income of $146,107; January lows average 35°F.

    3,451 people · Los Angeles County · median home $933,400 · income $146,107 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

    Full Agua Dulce, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Wrightwood, California

    Families: 82nd percentile · Quiet: 87th percentile · First-time buyers: 99th percentile

    Wrightwood is a community of 4,720 people in San Bernardino County, California. Homes have a median value of $470,700 against household income of $74,332; January lows average 26°F.

    4,720 people · San Bernardino County · median home $470,700 · income $74,332 · Jan low 26°F · 62 in snow

    Full Wrightwood, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More California rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in California
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California With Mild Winters

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns for Young Families in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in New York
• The 10 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Michigan
• The 17 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Florida
• The 17 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Massachusetts
• The 10 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Maine
• The 14 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Washington