RANK #699 / 996 · POP 191,713 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.0%
El Dorado County, Spanish for "The Golden One," is renowned as the heart of California's Gold Rush country, with Placerville serving as its historic county seat. Located in east-central California, about 45 miles northeast of Sacramento, the county spans rolling foothills to the Sierra Nevada mountains, including a portion of Lake Tahoe. This diverse landscape offers year-round outdoor recreation, from whitewater rafting on the American River to hiking and mountain biking on trails like the Jenkinson Lake Loop and the Rubicon Trail. Skiing and snowboarding are popular in the winter months near Lake Tahoe. Commute options to Sacramento are available via public transit, including commuter bus routes with park-and-ride locations.
Life in El Dorado County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between natural amenities and community living. The county's public schools are highly rated, with approximately 70% scoring in the top thirty percent of California schools. The economy is experiencing growth, with significant investment in residential and commercial sectors. This includes new housing developments and expanded retail options. The region also has a growing wine and agricultural scene, with over 70 wineries.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 12.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Bass Lake Hills Development
Undisclosed
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Lime Rock Valley Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
Creekside Village
Undisclosed
|
$380M | Approved |
|
Gateway El Dorado Specific Plan
El Dorado County
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
El Dorado PV BESS (Battery Storage Facility with Solar Charging)
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
El Dorado County has a Boom Town Index score of 30/100, ranking #699 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $99,246, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in El Dorado County is $597,600 with median rent at $1,597/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1661, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed -1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.62% of El Dorado County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.