CanyonLakeCAEntrance, 2006
Canyon Lake’s story
46 years in pictures
Census counts: 2,039 in 1980, 11,082 in 2020. The archive holds 11 old photos and papers going back to 2006 and 4 maps from 1953 on.
- 1980Canyon Lake is settled
Canyon LakeCA
A town of 11,113, settled in 1980.
3 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Pf1127 · CC BY 4.0
Population
11,113
2025 Census estimate · +0.3% since 2020
Typical home
$704K
+2.2% in a year
Household income
$127K
median
Median age
47.0
years
Jobs based here
1,247
A commuter town
TownGrade
C+
#285 of 841 in CA
What should you know before moving to Canyon Lake?
The typical home is worth about $704K, 7.8 years of the Riverside metro’s $90K median household income. Overall it grades C+, 285th of 841 graded towns in California. It reports less crime per resident than 78% of U.S. towns. Its weakest subject is hazard risk: FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 86% of U.S. communities, with inland flooding at the top. Canyon Lake’s average trip to work is 48 minutes, against 28 minutes in California’s towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns. On history, just 6 of California’s 1,063 towns do worse.
What makes Canyon Lake stand out
Where Canyon Lake beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Canyon Lake for work
Where Canyon Lake’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,247jobs based in Canyon Lake
4%of working residents work in town
29 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Canyon Lake grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Canyon Lake is from typical.
Cost of livingD−Open →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listDOpen →SafetyA−Open →Jobs & income$127K median household incomeB+Open →HealthMenifee Global Medical Center 5.9 miles awayBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.6 of 20; 3.3% of households have no car; 1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →SchoolsBeat 51% of California districts on tests and graduationB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors6 miles of trails; 1% conserved landBOpen →History1 notable person born hereD−Open →Civic life5.6 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 94° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market61 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 47.0–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Canyon Lake: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Canyon Lake, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterElsinore Valley Mwd water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNearest public drop-offCity of Lake Elsinore Houshold Hazardous Waste, 4 miOpenStreetMap
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereRiverside Registrar of VotersRiverside County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP code9258792587 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Canyon Lake.
Canyon Lake fares better on crime within California than nationally, has a longer frost-free season than nearly all U.S. towns and sends most of its workers to Lake Elsinore and beyond.
OutdoorsB
0.7% of Canyon Lake is conserved land
6.3 miles of trail in 10 parks and preserves. The trail density in Canyon Lake is 1.4 miles per square mile.
#272for trails in CA
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 1.4 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 0.7% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
0.7%
conserved · 22 of 2,946 acres
6.3 mi
of trails · 1.4 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Holiday Harbor Park | — | 5 |
| 2. Sierra Park | — | 4 |
| 3. Indian Beach Park | — | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Inland flooding leads a very high hazard risk in Canyon Lake
86risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingEarthquakes
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SafetyA−
Compared with most of California and the rest of the country, violent crime in Canyon Lake is lower
At 9 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports less crime than 97% of California’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 95 to 59 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Canyon Lake’s violent crime rate is 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
78%of U.S. towns report more crimeA−Safety Grade
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.3 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 5 per 1,000 residents | 13.4 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Canyon Lake0.3
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Canyon Lake5
California18.2
U.S.15.5
78th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
97th
percentile among CA towns
3
violent crimes reported in 2025
56
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most working residents commute out of Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake has 1,247 jobs for its 4,882 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out. The average commute takes 48.2 minutes, against 28.7 across California.
Most working residents leave Canyon Lake for work: only 4% work in town. Jobs based in Canyon Lake grew to 1,247 in 2023, 203 more than in 2013. 7.3% of Canyon Lake residents live below the poverty line.
4%work in town
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $127,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 7.3% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.7% | 6.6% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Canyon Lake4%
Lake Elsinore6%
Temecula5%
Los Angeles5%
Riverside5%
29 mi
median commute distance
1,247
jobs based in Canyon Lake
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 49% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Who lives here
Older than California overall
People 65 and older are 26% of residents (16% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 15% of residents (24% statewide). 31% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 37% across California.
47median age · CA 37.9
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 26% | 16% | 18% |
| Median age | 47 years | 39 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 23% | 22% | 22% |
Canyon LakeCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma5%
High school25%
Some college28%
Associate’s12%
Bachelor’s19%
Graduate12%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.8 points. Across California, 50.1% of residents are women.
| Canyon Lake | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 12.4% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 5.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 10% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 8.4% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.4% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 14.2% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 16% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 10.1% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 5.2% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 24.8% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 27.6% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 11.7% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 18.8% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 11.9% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
Canyon Lake has mild winters and hot summers
The Elsinore weather station, 5 miles away, records that the frost-free season runs about 329 days, longer than in 96% of U.S. towns. The Elsinore weather station, 5 miles away, records that about 123 days a year reach 90°, more than in 98% of U.S. towns.
Canyon Lake has warm winters and hot summers, with very little rain. July afternoons reach 92°, January nights drop to 42° and snow is almost unheard of.
94°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter42–66°
Spring47–73°
Summer59–91°
Fall52–82°
Dec 18
typical first frost
Jan 28
typical last frost
+2.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
94°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthB
On CDC estimates, Canyon Lake is healthier than 56% of U.S. towns
Against the 4,867 U.S. towns with household incomes like Canyon Lake’s, it is less healthy than 87%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
Canyon Lake beats the California average on 11 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 10. 25% of adults have been diagnosed with depression in Canyon Lake.
56%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 22% | 23% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 72% | 79% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 36% | 31% | 35% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 35% | 29% | 35% |
32 measures vs. California
11 better11 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Canyon Lake | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 6.2% | 10.6% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 12.7% | 17.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 9.5% | 6.4% |
Menifee Global Medical Center
5.9 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental
44th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade D−
Canyon Lake’s grade for cost of living is a D−
The typical Canyon Lake home is worth about $704,000, up 2.2% in a year, 8% below the California typical home.
$704KZillow home value
| Canyon Lake | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,608 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 85% | 64% | 73% |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 40% | 55% | 48% |
Typical home value
Canyon Lake$704K
California$762K
Market temperature
61
days on market
97%
sale-to-list price
+2.2%
value change, 1 year
28
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Nearby attractions
All 146 attractions →Disneyland and 67 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Canyon Lake. Close and well known come first.
Big draw39 mi Theme parkDisneyland17.3M visitors a year
Big draw36 mi Stadium & arenaAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Big draw39 mi Theme parkDisney California Adventure10.1M visitors a year
36 mi Stadium & arenaHonda Center
35 mi MuseumRichard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
5 mi MuseumOrange Empire Railway MuseumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Disneyland: HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Angel Stadium of Anaheim: Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen, Public domain · Disney California Adventure: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Honda Center: Arnold C (Buchanan-Hermit), Attribution · Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: The original uploader was Sorcha at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 · Orange Empire Railway Museum: The original uploader was Pretzelpaws at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0
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Keep exploring
Everything we know about Canyon Lake
20pages on Canyon Lake
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 51% of CA districtsSafetyA−0.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthBBetter than CA on 11 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD−$704K typical home · up 2.2% in a yearWork & commuteB+$127K median household income · 1,247 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 86% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
2 within 15 miles of the center of Canyon Lake
The University of AmericaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Temecula12.9 miMoreno Valley CollegeCommunity college · Public · Moreno Valley14.2 mi$1,428 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Canyon Lake residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
About Canyon Lake
City in California, United States
Canyon Lake is a city and gated community in the Inland Empire region of Riverside County, California, United States, located on Canyon Lake reservoir. Canyon Lake began as a master-planned community developed by the Corona Land Company in 1968. The City of Canyon Lake was incorporated on December 1, 1990. As of the 2020 census, Canyon Lake had a population of 11,082. Railroad Canyon Dam was built in 1927, and impounds the San Jacinto River to fill the reservoir, which covers 383 acres (1.55 km2) and has 14.9 miles (24.0 km) of shoreline.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1990
- Area
- 4.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,385 ft
- Area code
- 951
Canyon Lake’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Canyon Lake.
It grades higher overall than all 3 graded towns on its borders; Menifee (C−) comes closest.
Lake ElsinoreMenifeeMeadowbrookCanyon Lake
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lake | #285 | C+ | D− | A− | B− | B |
| Lake Elsinore | #580 | D | D− | C | B− | C+ |
| Menifee | #449 | C− | D− | B | B | B− |
| Meadowbrook | #663 | D | C | — | C+ | D |
Meadowbrook reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Canyon Lake with a neighbor →
Questions about Canyon Lake
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Canyon Lake, CA a good place to live?
Canyon Lake grades C+ overall, better than 39% of U.S. towns and #285 of 841 in California. It grades B for health, A− for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Canyon Lake, CA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.