HomeCaliforniaNevada County
Nevada County, California: commercial real estate data.
Nevada County, California had an estimated 102,195 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.0 percent since the 2020 census base of 102,236, across 958 square miles. County output reached $6.22 bn in 2024, 3,323 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 137 7(a) approvals worth $79.7 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Nevada County
How many people live in Nevada County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024102,481
- Households42,865
- Average household size2.39
- Median household income$89,882
- Median age50.1
- Median gross rent$1,677 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$621,800
- Home value to household income6.9 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income22.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher41.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree14.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over79,518
- Population under 1817,411
- Share under 1817.0 percent
- Population 65 and over30,033
- Share 65 and over29.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6455,037
- Civilian labor force46,582
- Unemployment rate5.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over54.8 percent
- Rank by population among California counties36th of 58
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included609th of 3,222
Nevada County is the 36th largest of 58 California counties by population. A median home costs 6.9 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 29.3 percent against 17.0 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Nevada County
Is Nevada County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024102,195
- Census 2020 base population102,236
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.04 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024109
- Births, 2024693
- Deaths, 20241,087
- Natural change, 2024-394
- Net domestic migration, 2024321
- Net international migration, 2024184
- Total net migration, 2024505
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20241,199
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1841st of 3,144
The county has lost 0.04 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Nevada County
Where are people moving to Nevada County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,605
- People arriving, from those returns6,042
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,717
- Net household movement-112
- Adjusted gross income arriving$480.4 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$34.0 m
- Average income of an arriving household$133,259
- Average income of a leaving household$120,087
- Largest single originPlacer County (580 households)
- Largest single destinationPlacer County (504 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placer County | 580 | 1,006 | $54.0 m |
| Sacramento County | 310 | 485 | $35.6 m |
| Contra Costa County | 199 | 361 | $54.2 m |
| Alameda County | 186 | 320 | $31.8 m |
| Santa Clara County | 145 | 281 | $32.8 m |
| San Francisco County | 139 | 218 | $47.4 m |
| Washoe County | 133 | 220 | $15.2 m |
| Los Angeles County | 109 | 175 | $15.8 m |
Households arriving report $13,172 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Placer County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Nevada County
What is the Nevada County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$6.22 bn
- County GDP, 2023$5.82 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.9 percent
- GDP change over five years34.2 percent
- Rank by GDP among the California areas BEA publishes36th of 58
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes631st of 3,127
- GDP per resident$60,707
Output grew 6.9 percent in the latest year and 34.2 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Nevada County
Employment by industry in Nevada County
- Covered employment, annual average35,000
- Establishments reporting4,494
- Average annual pay$62,734
- Average weekly wage$1,206
- Health care and social assistance, employment5,176
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$58,976
- Accommodation and food services, employment4,144
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$32,463
- Retail trade, employment4,123
- Retail trade, average annual pay$42,945
- Construction, employment3,608
- Construction, average annual pay$76,968
- Other services, except public administration, employment2,169
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment1,871
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 5,176 | 1,098 | $58,976 |
| Accommodation and food services | 4,144 | 266 | $32,463 |
| Retail trade | 4,123 | 381 | $42,945 |
| Construction | 3,608 | 612 | $76,968 |
| Other services, except public administration | 2,169 | 352 | $49,737 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,871 | 486 | $93,437 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 1,369 | 93 | $38,480 |
| Manufacturing | 1,272 | 146 | $68,904 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,176 jobs, 14.8 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Nevada County
How many businesses are in Nevada County?
- Establishments, all industries3,323
- Employment at those establishments27,771
- Annual payroll$1.58 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents32.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Nevada County
Building permits in Nevada County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024215
- Declared construction value permitted$110.1 m
- Single family units authorized215
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$512,085
- Units authorized per 1,000 households5.0
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Nevada County
SBA loans in Nevada County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded137
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$79.7 m
- Average 7(a) approval$581,981
- Median 7(a) approval$281,000
- 10th percentile approval$37,760
- 90th percentile approval$1,643,800
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)1,351
- Jobs per approval9.9
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active40
- Distinct industries receiving approvals85
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer27.0 percent
- Loans on real estate terms37
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter98
- Franchise loans11
- Franchise share of approvals8.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (7)
- Most active lenderU.S. Bank, National Association (17)
- 504 approvals recorded51
- 504 gross approval dollars$43.7 m
- Average 504 approval$857,137
- Median 504 approval$519,000
- Distinct CDCs active9
- 504 jobs per approval8.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.4
- Most active CDCMortgage Capital Development Corporation (15)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$123.4 m
The average approval of $581,981 sits well above the median of $281,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 27.0 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Nevada County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Nevada County
Do SBA loans in Nevada County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded37
- Paid in full34
- Charged off3
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans8.1 percent
- Status: Exempt from disclosure80
- Status: Paid in full34
- Status: Cancelled15
- Status: Charged off3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed5
Of the 37 loans that have reached a final outcome, 8.1 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Nevada County
SBA lending by place in Nevada County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending9
- Grass Valley, approvals65
- Truckee, approvals30
- Nevada City, approvals21
- Penn Valley, approvals9
- Auburn, approvals6
- Soda Springs, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Grass Valley | 65 | $40,608,600 |
| Truckee | 30 | $20,580,700 |
| Nevada City | 21 | $9,651,400 |
| Penn Valley | 9 | $2,444,700 |
| Auburn | 6 | $3,241,000 |
| Soda Springs | 3 | $2,459,400 |
| Smartsville | 1 | $350,000 |
| Rough and Ready | 1 | $282,000 |
| 1 other borrower city | 1 | $113,600 |
Grass Valley accounts for 65 approvals against 30 in Truckee. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Nevada County
How large is Nevada County?
- Land area958 sq mi
- Rank by land area among California counties44th of 58
- Width, east to west68.3 mi
- Height, north to south36 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land107
- Establishments per square mile3.47
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Nevada County
Flood risk in Nevada County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Nevada County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 060210
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Nevada County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Nevada County (community 060210), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Nevada County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Nevada County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Nevada County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024102,481
- Households42,865
- Average household size2.39
- Median household income$89,882
- Median age50.1
Common questions
Nevada County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Nevada County, California?
The Census Bureau estimates 102,195 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 102,481, in 42,865 households, ranking 36th of 58 California counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Nevada County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.04 percent since the 2020 census base of 102,236, to 102,195 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 693 births against 1,087 deaths, with net migration of 505. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Nevada County?
$89,882. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $621,800, which is 6.9 times income, and median gross rent is $1,677 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Nevada County?
3,323 establishments, employing 27,771 people with an annual payroll of $1.58 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Nevada County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,176 jobs, 14.8 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 35,000 jobs at an average annual pay of $62,734, or $1,206 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Nevada County?
137 7(a) approvals totaling $79.7 m since FY2020, across 40 lenders, with a median approval of $281,000, plus 51 504 approvals worth $43.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Nevada County get paid back?
Of the 37 loans that have reached a final outcome, 34 were paid in full and 3 charged off, a charge-off rate of 8.1 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Nevada County?
215 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $110.1 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Nevada County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Nevada County come from?
The largest single origin is Placer County, with 580 households. Arriving households report an average income of $133,259 against $120,087 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Nevada County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Nevada County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Nevada County
Cities and places in Nevada.
14 Census places lie wholly or partly in Nevada County. All 14 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee | town | 17,066 | 30 | Wholly in this county |
| Grass Valley | city | 14,113 | 65 | Wholly in this county |
| Alta Sierra | CDP | 7,361 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lake of the Pines | CDP | 5,461 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lake Wildwood | CDP | 4,792 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Nevada City | city | 3,172 | 21 | Wholly in this county |
| Penn Valley | CDP | 1,678 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Rough and Ready | CDP | 736 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| North San Juan | CDP | 179 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Soda Springs | CDP | 150 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Washington | CDP | 129 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Floriston | CDP | 26 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Graniteville | CDP | 0 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kingvale | CDP | 0 | None recorded | 90.4 percent here, 9.6 percent Placer County |
A further 7 of the county's 137 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Nevada County, the largest being Auburn (6), Smartsville (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
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