Rare clear air over Torrance, 2007
Carson’s story
66 years in pictures
Census counts: 38,059 in 1960, 95,558 in 2020. The archive holds 11 old photos and papers going back to 1885 and 8 maps from 1896 on.
- 1960Carson is settled
CarsonCA
A city of 90,808, settled in 1960.
5 bordering townsMap →
Photo: The Front Page Online · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
90,808
2025 Census estimate · −5% since 2020
Typical home
$787K
+1.1% in a year
Household income
$109K
median
Median age
41.7
years
Jobs based here
52,728
Balanced
TownGrade
C−
#530 of 841 in CA
Is Carson a good place to live?
Carson grades C− overall, 530th of 841 graded towns in California, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. It is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 85% of U.S. towns. On the other side, homes are expensive, about $787K for a typical one and 8.2 times the Los Angeles metro’s $96K median household income. Carson’s trail network density is 0.2 miles per square mile, where California’s towns sit at 1.0 and U.S. towns at 0.4. Carson is home to California State University-Dominguez Hills. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 87% of U.S. communities, with earthquakes at the top.
What makes Carson stand out
Where Carson beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
WalkabilityA
More walkable than 85% of U.S. towns
3.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
The college
| College | Students |
|---|---|
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | 13,167 |
A college in town
13,167 college students
at California State University-Dominguez Hills
Students are 6% of residents.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD
Earthquakes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
College town
California State University-Dominguez Hills calls Carson home
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Carson grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Carson is from typical.
Cost of livingDOpen →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listDOpen →SafetyDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 13.2 of 20; 4.6% of households have no carAOpen →Jobs & incomeB+Open →HealthCollege Medical Center 3.9 miles awayBOpen →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors3 miles of trails; 3% conserved landC+Open →History29 notable people born hereDOpen →Civic life3.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 82° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market37 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 41.7–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 273 attractions →SoFi Stadium and 234 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Carson. Close and well known come first.
Big draw9 mi Stadium & arenaSoFi Stadium
Big draw7 mi MuseumUSS Iowa
Big draw19 mi Theme parkDisneyland17.3M visitors a year
Big draw19 mi LandmarkHollywood Walk of Fame10.0M visitors a year
Big draw12 mi MuseumLucas Museum of Narrative Art
Big draw12 mi Stadium & arenaLos Angeles Memorial ColiseumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
SoFi Stadium: Thank You (21 Millions+) views, CC BY 2.0 · USS Iowa: PH1 Jeff Hilton, Public domain · Disneyland: HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Hollywood Walk of Fame: BenSherman, Public domain · Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Kriddl, CC0 · Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: CanonStarGal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Carson: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Carson, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCalifornia Water Service Co. - DominguezNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Carson’s trash rules yet
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 hereLos Angeles Registrar-Recorder County ClerkLos Angeles County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes90745, 90746, 9081090745 63% · 90746 28% · 90810 8%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 Carson.
Carson reports less crime than Los Angeles or any other graded neighbor, has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and owes part of its health edge to its incomes.
SafetyD
Carson reports more crime per resident than 87% of U.S. towns
Crime runs higher than in most U.S. towns, but its D tops all 3 graded towns on its borders; Los Angeles (D) comes closest.
Carson’s violent offense rate stands at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, above both the California town median (2.9) and the median of U.S. towns (1.6). The level of property crime for Carson comes to 25.5 per 1,000 residents.
13%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 25.5 per 1,000 residents | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 4.4 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Carson4.4
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Carson25.5
California18.2
U.S.15.5
13th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
19th
percentile among CA towns
394
violent crimes reported in 2025
2,301
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsB−
On state tests, Carson’s schools beat 50% of California districts
Three of the 26 schools are below, and why each made the list. Its public schools are run by the Los Angeles Unified school district. Public school enrollment in Carson: 2,970 students across 6 schools.
50%of CA districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen M. White MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,423 | – |
| Carson Senior HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,407 | B− |
| California Academy of Mathematics and ScienceTop results in townGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 673 | A+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Very high risk in Carson, with earthquakes at the top
Carson has had 21 paid flood insurance claims since 1978. Expected losses in Carson break down as 68% from earthquakes and 31% from inland flooding. Also worth knowing: households locally have drawn federal disaster aid in 10 declared disasters, most recently in 2025.
87risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
21
paid flood claims since 1978
10
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Carson has mild winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 47.5°, milder than in 98% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 80°.
The July high in Carson is 80°F. Snowfall is close to zero.
82°summer high
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 48°F | 40°F | 22°F |
| July high | 80°F | 89°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter48–68°
Spring53–71°
Summer62–79°
Fall57–78°
+2.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
82°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
With 1.3 jobs for every working resident, Carson draws in 49,894 commuters
For Carson, the income of the median household is $109,000. The median commute is under 11 miles. Nearly one in ten workers work from home locally. Jobs based in Carson grew to 52,728 in 2023, 4,832 more than in 2013.
7%work in town
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $109,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 14% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 8.7% | 10% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Carson7%
Los Angeles25%
Torrance9%
Long Beach7%
El Segundo2%
11 mi
median commute distance
52,728
jobs based in Carson
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 85% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Who lives here
Ages in Carson track California closely
In Carson, 20% of residents are under 18. No age group stands out against California: all are within 4 points. The town is shrinking: down 5% since 2020, to 90,808 residents (2025 estimate). 29% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 37% across California.
41.7median age · CA 37.9
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 20% | 22% | 22% |
| Median age | 41.7 years | 39 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 19% | 16% | 18% |
CarsonCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
14%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma16%
High school22%
Some college24%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s21%
Graduate9%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
About 96 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1 point). Across California, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 43.6, men 39.7.
| Carson | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.4% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 10.7% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.3% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 12.9% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.4% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.7% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 14% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 11% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.6% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 15.5% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 22.3% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 24.1% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.9% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 20.7% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 8.6% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB
Carson is healthier than 56% of U.S. towns
Against the 7,332 U.S. towns with household incomes like Carson’s, it is less healthy than 73%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
Two figures for adults in Carson: 17% have been diagnosed with depression, 13% binge drink. CDC measures, 32 in all: Carson beats California on 5 and trails on 10. For adults locally, the share who feel lonely is 42%.
57%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 36% | 33% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 22% | 23% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 16% | 16% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 26% | 29% | 35% |
32 measures vs. California
5 better17 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Carson | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with depression | 16.6% | 20.1% |
| Fewer binge drinkers | 12.7% | 15.3% |
| More adults with diabetes | 14.5% | 11.7% |
College Medical Center
3.9 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
45th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
OutdoorsC+
Conservation land takes up 2.6% of Carson
The biggest park or preserve is Victoria Community Regional Park, at 36 acres. Count the trails in 15 parks and preserves and they come to 3.0 miles. Parks and preserves in Carson: 15, covering 162 acres.
#655for trails in CA
2.6%
conserved · 317 of 12,090 acres
3.0 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Doctor Thomas G Mills Park | 0.4 mi | 5 |
| 2. Vernon Hemingway Memorial Park | 0.3 mi | 16 |
| 3. Dominguez Nature Preserve | 0.3 mi | 9 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HousingCost of living grade D
For cost of living, Carson earns a D
Carson’s typical rent is $1,956 a month. Zillow values the typical Carson home at about $787,000, up 1.1% in a year, close to the California typical home. Homes sold in Carson spent a median 37 days on the market.
$787KZillow home value
| Carson | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,956 a month | $1,895 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 74% | 64% | 73% |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 53% | 55% | 48% |
Typical home value
Carson$787K
California$762K
Market temperature
37
days on market
101.4%
sale-to-list price
+1.1%
value change, 1 year
28
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Carson
20pages on Carson
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 50% of CA districts · 26 schoolsSafetyD4.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthBBetter than CA on 5 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD$787K typical home · up 1.1% in a yearWork & commuteB+$109K median household income · 52,728 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 87% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
30 within 15 miles of the center of Carson
California State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity or college · Public · CarsonIn town$7,449 in-state tuitionCompton CollegeCommunity college · Public · Compton3.5 mi$1,142 in-state tuitionAmerica Evangelical UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Gardena4 mi$6,200 tuition
About 6 of every 100 Carson residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
Famous people from Carson
29 notable people were born in Carson.
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About Carson
City in California, United States
Carson is a city in the South Bay and Harbor regions of Los Angeles County, California, located 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown Los Angeles and approximately 14 miles (23 km) away from Los Angeles International Airport. It was incorporated on February 20, 1968. The city is locally known for its plurality of Filipino-Americans and immigrants. As of the 2020 United States census, the city had a population of 95,558.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1968
- Area
- 19 sq mi
- Elevation
- 39 ft
- ZIP code
- 90745, 90746, 90747
Carson’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Carson.
Los AngelesComptonLong BeachWest CarsonWest Rancho DominguezCarson
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson | #530 | C− | D | D | B− | B |
| Los Angeles | #613 | D | D− | D | B− | B− |
| Compton | #742 | D− | D | D− | B− | C− |
| Long Beach | #564 | D | D− | D | B | B |
| West Carson | #292 | C+ | D | — | B− | B+ |
| West Rancho Dominguez | #576 | D | D | — | B− | C− |
West Carson and West Rancho Dominguez report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Carson with a neighbor →
Questions about Carson
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Carson, CA a good place to live?
Carson grades C− overall, better than 17% of U.S. towns and #530 of 841 in California. It grades B for health, D for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Carson, 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.
What is Carson, CA known for?
29 notable people were born here, including Kia Stevens and Ashton Sanders.