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Alta, CA
Census-designated place in Placer County, California.
Population
656
Land area
2.4sq mi
People per sq mi
275
ZIP codes
0
Alta and its ZIP codes
Alta at a glance
- The median household income is $96,792, close to the California median.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $470,000 (36% below California) and median rent is $1,083 a month.
Local data for Alta, CA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Alta, CA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$96,792
Poverty rate
7.3%
Median home value
$470,000
Median rent
$1,083/mo
Homeownership
92.0%
Bachelor's or higher
38.0%
Median age
46.9
Average commute
46.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (69), Russian Americans (57), Ukrainian Americans (56).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Placer County. PPP loans are for Alta.
Unemployment rate
4.5%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$75,824
188,212 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$87,751
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$3B
FY 2026, $7,436 per person
How people get to work
Alta, CA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone60.6%
- Carpooled0.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home38.5%
Average one-way commute: 46.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Alta, CA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
1,223
Countywide, mostly heavy snow
Flood insurance policies
939
0.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
78° / 34°F
62.4 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Alta, CA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.5%
U.S. 33.3% -1.8 pts
Diabetes
12.4%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
13.7%
U.S. 12.8% +0.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
5.4%
U.S. 11.1% -5.7 pts
Cities near Alta
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch FlatCensus-designated place | 1.9 mi | 0.6 |
| WashingtonCensus-designated place | 9.9 mi | 1.9 |
| ColfaxCity | 12 mi | 1.4 |
| Nevada CityCity | 12 mi | 2.2 |
| Grass ValleyCity | 14 mi | 6 |
| ForesthillCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 11.2 |
| Alta SierraCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 8.3 |
| GranitevilleCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 1.5 |
| AlleghanyCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 0.3 |
| Rough and ReadyCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 3.2 |
| PikeCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 4.3 |
| Lake of the PinesCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 2.5 |
| Meadow VistaCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 5.3 |
| North San JuanCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 2.4 |
| CamptonvilleCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 0.9 |
| KingvaleCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Alta, CA in?
- Alta is in Placer County, California.
- What is the population of Alta, CA?
- About 656 people live in Alta, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Alta?
- Nearby places include Dutch Flat (1.9 mi), Washington (9.9 mi), Colfax (12 mi), Nevada City (12 mi), Grass Valley (14 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023