RANK #794 / 996 · POP 2,429,487 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
Temecula Valley Wine Country, with its rolling hills and vineyards, stands out as a distinctive feature of Riverside County, offering a unique blend of agriculture and leisure. Located in Southern California, Riverside County spans from the greater Los Angeles area to the Arizona border, encompassing diverse landscapes from chaparral to desert and mountains. Commuting within the expansive county, which is roughly the size of New Jersey, can involve significant travel times, though public transportation options like Metrolink and various bus services are available. The region boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails in areas like the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve and Mount Rubidoux Park, along with opportunities for water activities at Lake Elsinore and Lake Hemet.
Life in Riverside County often involves a balance between suburban living and access to natural amenities. Many residents commute to jobs within Southern California, with average commute times around 31 minutes. The county is home to numerous schools, with the Riverside County Office of Education overseeing programs for nearly half a million students. The economy is experiencing growth, with job creation in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. There is also a focus on developing clean energy initiatives and improving infrastructure to support continued economic expansion and reduce commuter traffic.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.0x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Crimson Energy Storage Project
Recurrent Energy (80% Axium Infrastructure, 20% Canadian Solar Inc.)
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Nova Power Bank Battery Storage Facility
Calpine
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Desert Quartzite Solar Farm
Unknown
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Arica Solar Farm
Arica Solar, LLC
|
$263M | Operating |
|
San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm Repowering Projects (Coachella Hills, Painted Hills, Desert Hot Springs, Mountain View, Mesa, Alta Mesa)
Terra-Gen Operating Co-Wind and others
|
$150M | Operating |
|
Desert Harvest Solar Project
EDF Renewable Energy
|
$150M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Riverside County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #794 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $84,505, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Riverside County is $462,900 with median rent at $1,711/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1826, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed -2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.84% of Riverside County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.