Median Age
48 Years
Largest Age Group
65-74 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
19%
Over 65
31%
Grass Valley
Grass Valley, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,312
Population
13,782
Renter Mix
54% Rent
The lush forests of Northern California surround you in this historic community
Suburb
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Rural
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Mountains
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Scenic
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Nature
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Outdoors
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Schools
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Parks
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Affordable
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Perched on the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Grass Valley is a small city located roughly halfway between Sacramento and Reno (about an hour’s drive from each). Established as a gold rush mining town, Grass Valley displays its rich history in its beautifully preserved architecture and numerous museums and landmarks throughout the city. The thriving Downtown district is packed with unique offerings, from historic hangouts like Del Oro Theatre and Old Towne Café to hip specialty businesses like Clock Tower Records and Pete’s Pizza & Tap House.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds hosts major regional events year-round, anchored by the namesake fair every August. Surrounded by Northern California’s unspoiled natural landscape, locals enjoy spectacular views and unparalleled access to nature: Empire Mine State Historic Park on the southeast side of town is a popular destination for running, biking, and relaxation, while more extensive adventures can be had just minutes outside of town in Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests, with Lake Tahoe close at hand as well.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$44,747
Average: $68,443
Education
3,554
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
6,142
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Grass Valley has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
54%
Non-Renters
46%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
23%
Other Education
77%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Grass Valley, CA is $1,313 for one bedroom, $1,501 for two bedrooms, and $2,121 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Grass Valley has increased by 6.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,313/month
563 Sq Ft
House
$1,927/month
593 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Grass Valley, CA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-8
173 Students
Public
Grades K-5
246 Students
Public
Grades K-8
120 Students
Public
Grades K-5
485 Students
Public
Grades K-5
338 Students
Public
Grades K-8
173 Students
Public
Grades K-8
120 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
410 Students
Public
Grades K-8
207 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
146 Students
William & Marian Ghidotti High School
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
664 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,561 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
Bitney College Preparatory High School
Public
Grades 9-12
91 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Parks and Recreation
- Empire Mine State Historic Park
Top Apartments in Grass Valley
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.