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Living in
Altadena.
Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, CA. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Altadena
If you're considering Altadena, know that you're looking at a foothill community with real character but also real challenges right now. The area has deep roots in the arts and culture—it's attracted artists and creatives since the early 20th century—and iconic attractions like Christmas Tree Lane have drawn visitors for generations. That said, the Eaton Fire in early 2025 caused severe damage to the community, which will shape living conditions for some time.
Altadena at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
46.4 yrs
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Foreign-Born
22.7%
Broadband Internet
94.0%
of households
Population Growth
-6.5%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics22.7% foreign-born, most often from Mexico
Who lives in Altadena: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Altadena, the largest foreign-born group is from Mexico (25.4%), and 21.3% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
19.1%
of residents
65 and Older
22.0%
of residents
Households with Kids
29.4%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
21.6%
of households
Married Couples
49.9%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.70
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 16% above CA average
Rent, home values, and income in Altadena
In Altadena, rent runs 16% above the CA average, and home values are 52% above the CA average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
55.1%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
30.3%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
113.6
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$6,437
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
76.9%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1946
median year built
Vacant Homes
4.6%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $1,126,169 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for CA
Unemployment in Altadena and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Los Angeles County, which includes Altadena, is close to the CA average.
Unemployment rate
Altadena: Los Angeles County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Los Angeles County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Altadena is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Altadena Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area
Commute27.5 min avg
How Altadena residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Altadena, most residents drive alone to work (62%), and 58% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 13 mi
Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
Medium hub3.2M passengers boarded in 2025
- 23 mi
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Major hub36.5M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 92% above national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, which covers Altadena, runs 92% above the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
632.4
per 100,000 residents
Above average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,647.8
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersHigh Wind most common — 21 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Very High
100.0 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Los Angeles County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Los Angeles County, which includes Altadena, the most common type is high wind, with 21 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | High Wind | $3,000 |
| 2024 | 27 | High Wind | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 21 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2022 | 7 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2021 | 5 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2020 | 4 | High Wind | None reported |
| 2019 | 2 | Wildfire | None reported |
| 2018 | 3 | Debris Flow | None reported |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
170 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Los Angeles County, county-wide
Altadena is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality74 median AQI — Moderate
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Los Angeles County, which includes Altadena, is typically moderate — acceptable for most people, but can affect those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Median AQI
74
Good Days
39
per year
Moderate Days
228
per year
Unhealthy Days
32
per year
Los Angeles County, county-wide
Altadena is less than 1% of Los Angeles County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate88°F summers, 45°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Altadena has warm summers (avg high 88°F) and warm winters (avg low 45°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
76°/51°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
88°/61°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
83°/56°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
68°/45°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
20.9"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"
Hot Days/Year
74
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
0
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
34
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68°F | 46°F | 4.51" |
| Feb | 69°F | 46°F | 5.16" |
| Mar | 73°F | 48°F | 3.03" |
| Apr | 76°F | 51°F | 1.11" |
| May | 78°F | 54°F | 0.48" |
| Jun | 84°F | 58°F | 0.21" |
| Jul | 89°F | 62°F | 0.06" |
| Aug | 91°F | 63°F | 0.03" |
| Sep | 90°F | 62°F | 0.22" |
| Oct | 83°F | 56°F | 0.84" |
| Nov | 75°F | 50°F | 1.10" |
| Dec | 67°F | 45°F | 3.33" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Altadena
Uninsured
3.5%
of residents
No hospitals inside Altadena's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Huntington Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 4 mi away · Pasadena
Aurora Las Encinas
Psychiatric · 4.1 mi away · Pasadena
Usc Verdugo Hills Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 5.5 mi away · Glendale
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education20.0:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Altadena
Altadena's student/teacher ratio is 20.0:1 (higher than the national average of 16:1), and 53.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
8
within city limits
Private Schools
7
within city limits
College Degree Rate
53.3%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
20.0:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Altadena (within 15 miles)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 22,688 students · in-state tuition $1,400 · 35% graduate
Public · 2-year · 21,466 students · in-state tuition $1,180 · 33% graduate · median earnings $47,494 (10 yrs after entry)
University of Southern California
14.6 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 20,443 students · in-state tuition $75,162 · 93% graduate · median earnings $103,420 (10 yrs after entry)
California State University-Los Angeles
8.8 mi awayPublic · 4-year · 19,562 students · in-state tuition $7,530 · 69% graduate · median earnings $62,555 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 11,198 students · in-state tuition $1,238 · 20% graduate · median earnings $42,194 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 10,509 students · in-state tuition $1,195 · 28% graduate · median earnings $46,476 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 37 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Altadena
Altadena has 3 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (37 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
37 mi awayJuan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
56 mi awayCésar E. Chávez National Monument
National Monument
76 mi awayPublic Libraries in Altadena
Altadena Library District
600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
Bob Lucas Memorial Library And Literacy Center
2659 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena
Cities Near Altadena
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Altadena?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Altadena FAQ
Is Altadena, California affordable?⌄
Altadena's median rent is $2,355/month, which is significantly above the national average. The median household income is $128,720/year. Median home value is $1,120,000.
Is Altadena, California safe?⌄
Altadena is policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 632 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is significantly above the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1648 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Altadena, California?⌄
Los Angeles County, which includes Altadena, has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, which is slightly above the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Altadena, California?⌄
The cost of living in Altadena is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $2,355/month and median household income is $128,720/year. The median home value is $1,120,000. About 55% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Altadena, California?⌄
The average commute in Altadena is 28 minutes, which is about average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from