RANK #947 / 996 · POP 137,384 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.6%
Napa County, California, is defined by its Mediterranean climate, which contributes to its renowned wine industry and picturesque landscape of rolling vineyards and oak-studded mountains. The city of Napa, the county seat, sits about an hour northeast of San Francisco. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though Vine Transit offers bus services connecting towns like Napa, Yountville, and St. Helena, with connections to regional transit. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking and biking on trails in parks such as Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and Alston Park, kayaking on the Napa River, and water sports on Lake Berryessa. The county also boasts unique biodiversity, including redwood stands and diverse plant and animal species.
Life in Napa County offers a blend of refined living and a strong sense of community, often centered around the agricultural and hospitality sectors. The economy is heavily influenced by its wine and grape industry, which accounts for a substantial portion of local employment and wages. While the region has seen job growth, particularly in leisure services and manufacturing, there's an increasing focus on diversifying the economy, with healthcare emerging as a growing sector. Public schools in the county are highly rated, with districts like Napa Valley Unified School District serving many communities.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 9.7x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Calistoga Resiliency Center
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Energy Vault Holdings
|
$293M | Operating |
|
Napa Renewable Natural Gas Project
City of Napa
|
$50M | Planned |
|
American Canyon Solar Project
Renewable Properties / MCE Clean Energy
|
$50M | Completed |
|
916 Trancas Street Mixed-Use Development
Mark Shakeri
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Napa Data Center (Healthcare Provider)
Confidential Large Healthcare Provider
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Napa County ADU Accelerator System
Napa County
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Napa County has a Boom Town Index score of 5/100, ranking #947 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $105,809, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Napa County is $794,500 with median rent at $2,037/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1332, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed -3.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.9% of Napa County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.