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Penn Valley, CA
Census-designated place in Nevada County, California.
Population
1,678
Land area
2.1sq mi
People per sq mi
791
ZIP codes
0
Penn Valley and its ZIP codes
Penn Valley at a glance
- Penn Valley is about 3.1 times as dense as California as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $64,737 a year, 35% less than the California figure of $99,122.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $500,700 (32% below California) and median rent is $1,230 a month.
Local data for Penn Valley, CA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Penn Valley, CA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$64,737
Poverty rate
9.3%
Median home value
$500,700
Median rent
$1,230/mo
Homeownership
73.4%
Bachelor's or higher
18.1%
Median age
43.8
Average commute
50.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (214), Norwegian Americans (142), German Americans (139).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Nevada County. PPP loans are for Penn Valley.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$65,782
34,626 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$80,346
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1B
FY 2026, $9,915 per person
How people get to work
Penn Valley, CA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone69.0%
- Carpooled21.7%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home8.9%
Average one-way commute: 50.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Penn Valley, CA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
1,183
Countywide, mostly heavy snow
Flood insurance policies
115
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 33°F
53.2 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Penn Valley, CA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
29.6%
U.S. 33.3% -3.7 pts
Diabetes
11.9%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
13.6%
U.S. 12.8% +0.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.4%
U.S. 11.1% -4.7 pts
Cities near Penn Valley
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake WildwoodCensus-designated place | 2.8 mi | 3.1 |
| Rough and ReadyCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 3.2 |
| SmartsvilleCensus-designated place | 5.5 mi | 0.7 |
| Grass ValleyCity | 6.9 mi | 6 |
| Alta SierraCensus-designated place | 8.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Nevada CityCity | 10 mi | 2.2 |
| Beale AFBCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 10.1 |
| DobbinsCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 7.7 |
| Lake of the PinesCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.5 |
| North San JuanCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.4 |
| ColfaxCity | 15 mi | 1.4 |
| Loma RicaCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 18.5 |
| WheatlandCity | 15 mi | 8.1 |
| Meadow VistaCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 5.3 |
| BangorCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 13.4 |
| SheridanCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 25.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Penn Valley, CA in?
- Penn Valley is in Nevada County, California.
- What is the population of Penn Valley, CA?
- About 1,678 people live in Penn Valley, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Penn Valley?
- Nearby places include Lake Wildwood (2.8 mi), Rough and Ready (4 mi), Smartsville (5.5 mi), Grass Valley (6.9 mi), Alta Sierra (8.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023