Drytown Amador 2, 1998
Drytown’s story
174 years in pictures
The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 1998 and 3 maps from 1941 on.
- 1852Drytown is settled
DrytownCA
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Population
147
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$856K
Census ACS
Household income
$250K
median
Median age
70.2
years
Jobs based here
21
A commuter town
Is Drytown a good place to live?
Drytown’s median household income is $250,000, where California’s towns sit at $95,000 and U.S. towns at $80,000. Only 2 of the 848 California towns we compare have a higher median age than Drytown. Drytown has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
What makes Drytown stand out
Where Drytown beats most towns.
Small town
147 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
Moving to Drytown: who provides what
Drytown is unincorporated, so Amador County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerPG&E37.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterDrytown County Water DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
InternetProviders and speedsData pending · D4
Trash & county servicesAmador CountyAmador County provides services here
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 hereAmador County ElectionsAmador County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2025
ZIP codes95699, 9568595699 94% · 95685 6%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 Drytown.
Natural hazards
Very high risk in Drytown, with avalanches at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 92% of U.S. communities.
92risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
AvalanchesWildfireInland flooding
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commute
With 0.2 jobs for every working resident, most of Drytown’s workers commute out
Most working residents leave Drytown for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Plymouth (6%), Jackson (6%) and Sacramento (5%). Half commute less than 42 miles.
1%work in town
Where working residents work
In Drytown1%
Plymouth6%
Jackson6%
Sacramento5%
Stockton5%
42 mi
median commute distance
21
jobs based in Drytown
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
In Drytown, expect mild winters and hot summers
Drytown has mild winters and hot summers. At 95°F, Drytown’s July high is above both California’s towns (89°F) and U.S. towns (85°F).
95°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter38–57°
Spring46–71°
Summer58–93°
Fall49–77°
Dec 11
typical first frost
Mar 4
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
95°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
How healthy Drytown is
Drytown beats the California average on 10 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 7. 39% of adults have high blood pressure in Drytown.
| Drytown | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 31% | 35% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 35% | 36% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 72% | 79% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 36% | 33% |
32 measures vs. California
10 better15 too close to call7 worse
| What stands out | Drytown | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 5.8% | 10.6% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 11.1% | 17.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 11.9% | 6.4% |
Sutter Amador Hospital
8.1 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Drytown
15pages on Drytown
The big questions
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Drytown; the nearest are
Folsom Lake CollegeCommunity college · Public · Folsom21 mi$1,288 in-state tuitionCalifornia State University-SacramentoUniversity or college · Public · Sacramento31.5 mi$8,018 in-state tuition
About 0 of every 100 Drytown residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Drytown for work
Where Drytown’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
21jobs based in Drytown
1%of working residents work in town
42 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Drytown
Census-designated place in California, United States
Drytown (formerly, Dry Town) is a census-designated place in Amador County, California, United States. It is located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Plymouth on Dry Creek, at an elevation of 646 feet (197 m). The population at the 2020 census was 186. The town is registered as a California Historical Landmark. The community is in ZIP code 95699 and area code 209. Today Drytown is home to a population of less than 200 people and about 5 antiques stores. But once before it was a well-known hotspot thanks to the gold mines with a population of 10,000 people.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 3.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 646 ft
- ZIP code
- 95699
Questions about Drytown
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Drytown, CA a good place to live?
Drytown has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.