RANK #895 / 996 · POP 91,145 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.6%
Mendocino County, located on California's North Coast, is known for its dramatic Pacific Ocean coastline, redwood forests, and a distinctive blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. The picturesque village of Mendocino, with its Victorian architecture and cliffside views, is a notable landmark. The county is approximately a three-hour drive north of the San Francisco Bay Area, offering a quieter alternative to more urbanized regions. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with opportunities for kayaking along the coast, hiking and mountain biking in Mendocino National Forest, and exploring redwood groves in parks like Hendy Woods State Park and Navarro River Redwoods State Park. Visitors can also find unique attractions like Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, where colorful sea glass covers the shoreline.
Life in Mendocino County offers a slower pace, attracting families, young professionals, and retirees who appreciate the natural surroundings. Public transportation, including the Mendocino Transit Authority, connects towns like Ukiah, Willits, and Fort Bragg, and also provides routes to Santa Rosa. The economy has historically relied on industries such as wine production, timber, and agriculture, though some of these sectors have faced recent challenges. Healthcare and local government are significant employers, and there is a focus on developing economic growth in areas like cannabis, home hardening, construction, and recreational tourism. Mendocino County school districts, such as Mendocino Unified and Fort Bragg Unified, serve the local student population.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Last-Mile Delivery Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Ukiah New Single-Family Homes (170+ homes)
Christopherson Communities
|
$50M | In Planning |
|
Long-Duration Energy Storage System (5 MW / 500 MWh)
Form Energy
|
$30M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Mendocino County has a Boom Town Index score of 10/100, ranking #895 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.2% and a median household income of $61,335, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Mendocino County is $463,700 with median rent at $1,240/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1323, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.2%. Home values changed -2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.07% of Mendocino County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.