#1Carmel-by-the-Sea
Monterey County · 3,105 peopleCivic life grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · #33 of 841 in CA
Carmel-by-the-Sea, #1 on this list · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0California rankings · Civic life
Towns with the most civic life in California
Carmel-by-the-Sea ranks first on civic life among California’s 448 towns of 2,500+; 80 of the 448 grade A− or better on civic life nationally.
The Civic life grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): library visits per resident (IMLS), community nonprofits (IRS) and volunteering groups. How grades work
#1A+
#2Sebastopol
Sonoma County · 7,532 peopleCivic life grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #321 of 841 in CA
Mount Shasta
Siskiyou County · 3,071 peopleCivic life grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall C− · #493 of 841 in CA
All 448 towns
Civic life grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 2 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
448 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
15Morro BaySan Luis Obispo County · 10,613 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #200 of 841
23Santa CruzSanta Cruz County · 61,797 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #291 of 841
24Scotts ValleySanta Cruz County · 11,652 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #104 of 841
29San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · 50,636 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #290 of 841
30Arroyo GrandeSan Luis Obispo County · 18,123 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #149 of 841
33Pismo BeachSan Luis Obispo County · 7,911 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #343 of 841
34Half Moon BaySan Mateo County · 11,287 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #140 of 841
37Pacific GroveMonterey County · 14,659 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #62 of 841
42San MarinoLos Angeles County · 11,964 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #46 of 841
43Palo AltoSanta Clara County · 67,609 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #112 of 841
46ClaremontLos Angeles County · 35,838 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #185 of 841
48AtascaderoSan Luis Obispo County · 29,464 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #278 of 841
49El SegundoLos Angeles County · 16,379 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #199 of 841
52El CerritoContra Costa County · 26,121 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #434 of 841
53Beverly HillsLos Angeles County · 30,764 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #261 of 841
54West HollywoodLos Angeles County · 34,231 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #494 of 841
56Sierra MadreLos Angeles County · 10,620 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #103 of 841
57PlacervilleEl Dorado County · 10,685 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #398 of 841
60La Cañada FlintridgeLos Angeles County · 19,480 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #64 of 841
63Los GatosSanta Clara County · 32,576 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #50 of 841
64South PasadenaLos Angeles County · 25,503 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #120 of 841
65Portola ValleySan Mateo County · 4,292 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #57 of 841
67Solana BeachSan Diego County · 12,602 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #23 of 841
69BurlingameSan Mateo County · 31,929 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #108 of 841
75Agoura HillsLos Angeles County · 19,243 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #101 of 841
78San FranciscoSan Francisco County · 826,079 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #308 of 841
87Menlo ParkSan Mateo County · 32,713 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #109 of 841
93Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · 90,082 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #266 of 841
94CalabasasLos Angeles County · 22,027 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #145 of 841
100Palos Verdes EstatesLos Angeles County · 12,559 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #24 of 841
101Signal HillLos Angeles County · 11,153 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #441 of 841
102Culver CityLos Angeles County · 39,452 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #272 of 841
103Hermosa BeachLos Angeles County · 18,513 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #129 of 841
104Walnut CreekContra Costa County · 70,012 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #223 of 841
105Rolling Hills EstatesLos Angeles County · 7,948 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #107 of 841
107Rancho MirageRiverside County · 17,876 peopleBbetter than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #607 of 841
117Westlake VillageLos Angeles County · 7,505 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #138 of 841
119Thousand OaksVentura County · 122,230 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #102 of 841
120Canyon LakeRiverside County · 11,113 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #285 of 841
122PasadenaLos Angeles County · 135,804 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #421 of 841
125CerritosLos Angeles County · 46,367 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #247 of 841
127Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · 86,422 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #443 of 841
128MartinezContra Costa County · 36,849 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #166 of 841
129Grover BeachSan Luis Obispo County · 12,456 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #355 of 841
131BuelltonSanta Barbara County · 5,158 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #172 of 841
134South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · 21,115 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #484 of 841
136Big Bear LakeSan Bernardino County · 5,018 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #436 of 841
138BurbankLos Angeles County · 102,988 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #346 of 841
139Redwood CitySan Mateo County · 82,178 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #160 of 841
142CupertinoSanta Clara County · 58,333 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #26 of 841
144Altadenaunincorporated, Los Angeles County · 41,705 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #205 of 841
145Manhattan BeachLos Angeles County · 33,122 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #84 of 841
146CarpinteriaSanta Barbara County · 12,734 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #246 of 841
148El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)San Luis Obispo County · 31,626 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #533 of 841
152RedlandsSan Bernardino County · 74,128 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #360 of 841
157Crescent CityDel Norte County · 6,002 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #752 of 841
160Redondo BeachLos Angeles County · 67,281 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #151 of 841
162Pleasant HillContra Costa County · 34,017 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #300 of 841
163Morgan HillSanta Clara County · 45,625 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #171 of 841
164Palm SpringsRiverside County · 45,315 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #666 of 841
171Yucca ValleySan Bernardino County · 21,887 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #754 of 841
172CampbellSanta Clara County · 42,490 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #179 of 841
176San RamonContra Costa County · 86,209 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #32 of 841
177SacramentoSacramento County · 536,449 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #509 of 841
178San DiegoSan Diego County · 1,406,106 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #249 of 841
180Mountain ViewSanta Clara County · 85,438 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #113 of 841
183NeedlesSan Bernardino County · 4,821 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #561 of 841
187Indian WellsRiverside County · 4,992 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #213 of 841
191Santa ClaraSanta Clara County · 133,446 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #148 of 841
192East Palo AltoSan Mateo County · 28,872 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #477 of 841
198Palm DesertRiverside County · 53,259 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #584 of 841
199MonroviaLos Angeles County · 38,264 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #309 of 841
200Rancho Palos VerdesLos Angeles County · 39,654 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #28 of 841
201Mountain HouseSan Joaquin County · 25,315 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #67 of 841
202GlendaleLos Angeles County · 187,160 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #316 of 841
203Santa Fe SpringsLos Angeles County · 18,793 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #596 of 841
207Huntington BeachOrange County · 191,451 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #167 of 841
208GlendoraLos Angeles County · 49,671 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #191 of 841
209BarstowSan Bernardino County · 24,804 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #719 of 841
211San Juan CapistranoOrange County · 35,119 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #121 of 841
216TorranceLos Angeles County · 138,391 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #220 of 841
218Foster CitySan Mateo County · 32,411 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #19 of 841
219San JoseSanta Clara County · 989,814 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #293 of 841
220Fountain ValleyOrange County · 55,508 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #226 of 841
223South San FranciscoSan Mateo County · 64,941 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #204 of 841
225LompocSanta Barbara County · 43,315 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #631 of 841
227BrentwoodContra Costa County · 66,607 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #270 of 841
228San DimasLos Angeles County · 32,978 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #273 of 841
229San LeandroAlameda County · 85,353 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #485 of 841
230Rancho Santa MargaritaOrange County · 45,779 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #36 of 841
232Monterey ParkLos Angeles County · 57,457 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #496 of 841
233ConcordContra Costa County · 123,261 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #377 of 841
236Laguna NiguelOrange County · 64,107 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #69 of 841
237La VerneLos Angeles County · 30,178 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #237 of 841
242Simi ValleyVentura County · 124,861 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #164 of 841
243Loma LindaSan Bernardino County · 25,221 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #234 of 841
246Elk GroveSacramento County · 185,007 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #154 of 841
247Los Altos HillsSanta Clara County · 8,419 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #5 of 841
250Santa ClaritaLos Angeles County · 228,430 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #152 of 841
251Long BeachLos Angeles County · 450,469 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #564 of 841
254WatsonvilleSanta Cruz County · 50,716 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #720 of 841
255AlhambraLos Angeles County · 79,820 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #299 of 841
257Rancho CordovaSacramento County · 87,554 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #314 of 841
258Twentynine PalmsSan Bernardino County · 25,939 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #457 of 841
262InglewoodLos Angeles County · 101,662 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #758 of 841
265Diamond BarLos Angeles County · 51,884 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #224 of 841
267UplandSan Bernardino County · 79,446 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #327 of 841
272SunnyvaleSanta Clara County · 156,577 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #82 of 841
274Monte SerenoSanta Clara County · 3,566 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #16 of 841
283YucaipaSan Bernardino County · 54,953 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #440 of 841
285Los AngelesLos Angeles County · 3,869,089 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #613 of 841
286Grand TerraceSan Bernardino County · 12,936 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #518 of 841
290HillsboroughSan Mateo County · 11,206 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #29 of 841
291California CityKern County · 13,300 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #841 of 841
292San GabrielLos Angeles County · 38,186 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #336 of 841
294Citrus HeightsSacramento County · 86,348 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #407 of 841
297HerculesContra Costa County · 26,326 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #195 of 841
301MilpitasSanta Clara County · 78,596 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #173 of 841
302Chino HillsSan Bernardino County · 77,519 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #165 of 841
308Rancho CucamongaSan Bernardino County · 177,856 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #147 of 841
311Temple CityLos Angeles County · 35,125 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #170 of 841
327LancasterLos Angeles County · 170,084 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #793 of 841
331Apple ValleySan Bernardino County · 75,247 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #721 of 841
334La MiradaLos Angeles County · 45,952 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #219 of 841
337Imperial BeachSan Diego County · 25,206 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #467 of 841
348Lake ElsinoreRiverside County · 75,067 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #580 of 841
352StocktonSan Joaquin County · 324,597 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #706 of 841
354RichmondContra Costa County · 114,861 peopleD−better than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #605 of 841
359San FernandoLos Angeles County · 23,449 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #573 of 841
361AntiochContra Costa County · 118,958 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #647 of 841
362National CitySan Diego County · 57,807 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #563 of 841
368RosemeadLos Angeles County · 49,410 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #522 of 841
369RiverbankStanislaus County · 26,557 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #508 of 841
372MontebelloLos Angeles County · 60,693 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #680 of 841
374PittsburgContra Costa County · 77,542 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #498 of 841
375HawthorneLos Angeles County · 82,741 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #634 of 841
378West CovinaLos Angeles County · 105,301 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #387 of 841
384HighlandSan Bernardino County · 57,614 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #597 of 841
385San JacintoRiverside County · 56,014 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #757 of 841
387Santa MariaSanta Barbara County · 111,390 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #781 of 841
388HesperiaSan Bernardino County · 102,605 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #740 of 841
389BellflowerLos Angeles County · 74,719 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #609 of 841
392PalmdaleLos Angeles County · 161,845 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #796 of 841
393Moreno ValleyRiverside County · 214,263 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #652 of 841
394AdelantoSan Bernardino County · 38,798 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #807 of 841
395GuadalupeSanta Barbara County · 8,846 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #594 of 841
396VictorvilleSan Bernardino County · 141,395 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #789 of 841
398Cathedral CityRiverside County · 52,375 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #611 of 841
399San PabloContra Costa County · 31,678 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #616 of 841
400Chula VistaSan Diego County · 275,533 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #282 of 841
401OntarioSan Bernardino County · 187,013 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #565 of 841
407FontanaSan Bernardino County · 221,223 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #468 of 841
408Desert Hot SpringsRiverside County · 34,009 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #739 of 841
409Jurupa ValleyRiverside County · 107,311 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #653 of 841
412El MonteLos Angeles County · 105,075 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #668 of 841
413MontclairSan Bernardino County · 37,563 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #689 of 841
414RialtoSan Bernardino County · 106,554 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #693 of 841
416ColtonSan Bernardino County · 53,383 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #694 of 841
417ParamountLos Angeles County · 50,755 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #669 of 841
420Hawaiian GardensLos Angeles County · 13,373 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #490 of 841
423Pico RiveraLos Angeles County · 58,915 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #517 of 841
424San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · 222,044 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #766 of 841
425La Habra HeightsLos Angeles County · 5,327 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall A− · #41 of 841
427La PuenteLos Angeles County · 36,423 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C− · #461 of 841
429South El MonteLos Angeles County · 18,963 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #751 of 841
432Baldwin ParkLos Angeles County · 68,880 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #555 of 841
437South GateLos Angeles County · 90,071 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D · #640 of 841
441Huntington ParkLos Angeles County · 51,544 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #738 of 841
T447Bell GardensLos Angeles County · 37,367 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #726 of 841
Not ranked
399 towns without a civic life grade
Towns of 2,500+ that don’t have the figures this grade needs. Each town’s page says which ones are missing.
- Acton Los Angeles County · 7,880 people
- Agua Dulce Los Angeles County · 2,828 people
- Alamo Contra Costa County · 14,488 people
- Alondra Park Los Angeles County · 8,373 people
- Alpine San Diego County · 15,180 people
- Alta Sierra Nevada County · 7,361 people
- Alum Rock Santa Clara County · 10,440 people
- Amesti Santa Cruz County · 2,818 people
- Angwin Napa County · 2,931 people
- Antelope Sacramento County · 48,301 people
- Aptos Santa Cruz County · 6,404 people
- Arbuckle Colusa County · 3,093 people
- Arden-Arcade Sacramento County · 94,994 people
- Armona Kings County · 3,890 people
- Aromas Monterey County · 3,245 people
- Ashland Alameda County · 22,210 people
- Auberry Fresno County · 3,240 people
- Auburn Lake Trails El Dorado County · 3,284 people
- August San Joaquin County · 8,825 people
- Avocado Heights Los Angeles County · 12,593 people
- Bay Point Contra Costa County · 24,231 people
- Bayview Contra Costa County · 2,751 people
- Bayview Humboldt County · 2,803 people
- Bear Valley Springs Kern County · 5,912 people
- Bella Vista Shasta County · 4,511 people
- Ben Lomond Santa Cruz County · 6,858 people
- Benton Park Kern County · 5,707 people
- Bermuda Dunes Riverside County · 7,971 people
- Big Bear City San Bernardino County · 11,431 people
- Blackhawk Contra Costa County · 10,137 people
- Bloomington San Bernardino County · 25,698 people
- Bonadelle Ranchos Madera County · 5,465 people
- Bonita San Diego County · 12,652 people
- Bonny Doon Santa Cruz County · 3,149 people
- Bonsall San Diego County · 4,332 people
- Boron Kern County · 2,698 people
- Borrego Springs San Diego County · 2,700 people
- Bostonia San Diego County · 16,765 people
- Boulder Creek Santa Cruz County · 4,632 people
- Boyes Hot Springs Sonoma County · 7,247 people
- Bret Harte Stanislaus County · 4,757 people
- Broadmoor San Mateo County · 4,586 people
- Brooktrails Mendocino County · 4,398 people
- Buckhorn Amador County · 3,504 people
- Burbank Santa Clara County · 5,333 people
- Burney Shasta County · 2,668 people
- Bystrom Stanislaus County · 4,143 people
- California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo County · 7,915 people
- Cambria San Luis Obispo County · 5,978 people
- Cambrian Park Santa Clara County · 3,494 people
- Cameron Park El Dorado County · 18,315 people
- Camino Tassajara Contra Costa County · 5,831 people
- Camp Pendleton Mainside San Diego County · 9,501 people
- Camp Pendleton South San Diego County · 15,766 people
- Campo San Diego County · 2,729 people
- Carmel Valley Village Monterey County · 4,785 people
- Carmichael Sacramento County · 76,948 people
- Casa Conejo Ventura County · 2,671 people
- Casa de Oro-Mount Helix San Diego County · 19,765 people
- Castaic Los Angeles County · 17,999 people
- Castro Valley Alameda County · 65,001 people
- Castroville Monterey County · 6,720 people
- Channel Islands Beach Ventura County · 2,726 people
- Charter Oak Los Angeles County · 9,442 people
- Cherry Valley Riverside County · 6,668 people
- Cherryland Alameda County · 14,143 people
- China Lake Acres Kern County · 2,594 people
- Citrus Los Angeles County · 10,904 people
- Clearlake Riviera Lake County · 4,122 people
- Coarsegold Madera County · 3,967 people
- Collierville San Joaquin County · 2,546 people
- Contra Costa Centre Contra Costa County · 6,893 people
- Copperopolis Calaveras County · 4,285 people
- Coronita Riverside County · 2,763 people
- Coto de Caza Orange County · 15,190 people
- Cottonwood Kern County · 3,107 people
- Cottonwood Shasta County · 7,408 people
- Country Club San Joaquin County · 10,161 people
- Crest San Diego County · 2,775 people
- Crestline San Bernardino County · 9,835 people
- Crockett Contra Costa County · 3,372 people
- Cutler Tulare County · 4,361 people
- Cutten Humboldt County · 3,550 people
- Day Valley Santa Cruz County · 3,579 people
- Del Aire Los Angeles County · 11,115 people
- Del Monte Forest Monterey County · 3,613 people
- Delhi Merced County · 11,009 people
- Denair Stanislaus County · 4,914 people
- Desert Edge Riverside County · 3,778 people
- Desert Palms Riverside County · 6,579 people
- Desert View Highlands Los Angeles County · 2,613 people
- Diamond Springs El Dorado County · 10,927 people
- Discovery Bay Contra Costa County · 14,911 people
- Dixon Lane-MeadowCreek Inyo County · 3,071 people
- Dogtown San Joaquin County · 3,094 people
- Durham Butte County · 5,340 people
- Earlimart Tulare County · 7,214 people
- East Bakersfield Kern County · 11,062 people
- East Foothills Santa Clara County · 7,139 people
- East Hemet Riverside County · 20,257 people
- East Los Angeles Los Angeles County · 111,647 people
- East Niles Kern County · 28,532 people
- East Pasadena Los Angeles County · 5,479 people
- East Porterville Tulare County · 5,066 people
- East Quincy Plumas County · 2,723 people
- East Rancho Dominguez Los Angeles County · 14,603 people
- East Richmond Heights Contra Costa County · 3,109 people
- East San Gabriel Los Angeles County · 23,410 people
- East Sonora Tuolumne County · 2,651 people
- East Whittier Los Angeles County · 9,990 people
- Eastern Goleta Valley Santa Barbara County · 28,295 people
- Easton Fresno County · 2,722 people
- Edwards AFB Kern County · 2,500 people
- El Cerrito Riverside County · 5,325 people
- El Dorado Hills El Dorado County · 51,026 people
- El Granada San Mateo County · 5,232 people
- El Rio Ventura County · 6,368 people
- El Sobrante Contra Costa County · 16,294 people
- El Sobrante Riverside County · 13,129 people
- El Verano Sonoma County · 3,443 people
- Elverta Sacramento County · 4,769 people
- Emerald Lake Hills San Mateo County · 4,235 people
- Empire Stanislaus County · 3,429 people
- Esparto Yolo County · 3,713 people
- Eucalyptus Hills San Diego County · 5,840 people
- Fair Oaks Sacramento County · 32,799 people
- Fairbanks Ranch San Diego County · 2,703 people
- Fairview Alameda County · 10,745 people
- Fallbrook San Diego County · 32,112 people
- Felton Santa Cruz County · 4,093 people
- Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente Sonoma County · 3,347 people
- Florence-Graham Los Angeles County · 60,690 people
- Florin Sacramento County · 50,211 people
- Foothill Farms Sacramento County · 36,435 people
- Ford City Kern County · 4,162 people
- Forestville Sonoma County · 3,717 people
- Fort Irwin San Bernardino County · 8,419 people
- Franklin Merced County · 7,392 people
- Frazier Park Kern County · 2,681 people
- Freedom Santa Cruz County · 3,172 people
- French Camp San Joaquin County · 3,264 people
- French Valley Riverside County · 45,269 people
- Fruitridge Pocket Sacramento County · 6,095 people
- Garden Acres San Joaquin County · 10,667 people
- Garnet Riverside County · 7,382 people
- Gold River Sacramento County · 7,924 people
- Golden Hills Kern County · 9,891 people
- Good Hope Riverside County · 8,816 people
- Goshen Tulare County · 5,136 people
- Granite Bay Placer County · 21,673 people
- Granite Hills San Diego County · 3,795 people
- Green Acres Riverside County · 3,382 people
- Greenacres Kern County · 4,906 people
- Greenfield Kern County · 3,939 people
- Guerneville Sonoma County · 4,100 people
- Hacienda Heights Los Angeles County · 54,291 people
- Happy Valley Shasta County · 5,944 people
- Harbison Canyon San Diego County · 4,328 people
- Harmony Grove San Diego County · 2,585 people
- Hayfork Trinity County · 2,537 people
- Heber Imperial County · 7,312 people
- Hidden Meadows San Diego County · 3,524 people
- Hidden Valley Lake Lake County · 5,872 people
- Highgrove Riverside County · 8,366 people
- Hillcrest Kern County · 10,511 people
- Hilmar-Irwin Merced County · 6,132 people
- Home Gardens Riverside County · 10,506 people
- Homeland Riverside County · 7,584 people
- Homestead Valley San Bernardino County · 2,689 people
- Humboldt Hill Humboldt County · 3,551 people
- Huron Fresno County · 7,394 people
- Idyllwild-Pine Cove Riverside County · 3,957 people
- Interlaken Santa Cruz County · 8,068 people
- Isla Vista Santa Barbara County · 13,920 people
- Ivanhoe Tulare County · 4,629 people
- Jamestown Tuolumne County · 3,265 people
- Jamul San Diego County · 6,574 people
- Joshua Tree San Bernardino County · 6,234 people
- Kelly Ridge Butte County · 2,825 people
- Kelseyville Lake County · 4,011 people
- Kennedy San Joaquin County · 2,576 people
- Kensington Contra Costa County · 5,179 people
- Kentfield Marin County · 6,900 people
- Keyes Stanislaus County · 5,577 people
- Kings Beach Placer County · 2,736 people
- La Crescenta-Montrose Los Angeles County · 19,660 people
- La Cresta Kern County · 8,389 people
- La Presa San Diego County · 34,962 people
- La Riviera Sacramento County · 11,492 people
- Ladera Heights Los Angeles County · 7,334 people
- Ladera Ranch Orange County · 23,793 people
- Lake Arrowhead San Bernardino County · 10,639 people
- Lake California Tehama County · 3,808 people
- Lake Isabella Kern County · 4,059 people
- Lake Los Angeles Los Angeles County · 13,051 people
- Lake Mathews Riverside County · 6,527 people
- Lake Nacimiento San Luis Obispo County · 3,339 people
- Lake San Marcos San Diego County · 4,693 people
- Lake Shastina Siskiyou County · 3,001 people
- Lake Wildwood Nevada County · 4,792 people
- Lake of the Pines Nevada County · 5,461 people
- Lakeland Village Riverside County · 12,236 people
- Lakeside San Diego County · 22,447 people
- Lamont Kern County · 13,164 people
- Larkfield-Wikiup Sonoma County · 8,765 people
- Las Flores Orange County · 5,513 people
- Las Lomas Monterey County · 3,355 people
- Lemon Hill Sacramento County · 15,312 people
- Lemoore Station Kings County · 6,175 people
- Lennox Los Angeles County · 19,449 people
- Lenwood San Bernardino County · 3,383 people
- Lexington Hills Santa Clara County · 2,692 people
- Lincoln Village San Joaquin County · 4,241 people
- Linda Yuba County · 23,871 people
- Live Oak Santa Cruz County · 16,911 people
- Lockeford San Joaquin County · 3,838 people
- Los Osos San Luis Obispo County · 14,166 people
- Loyola Santa Clara County · 3,430 people
- Lucas Valley-Marinwood Marin County · 6,473 people
- Lucerne Lake County · 3,435 people
- Lucerne Valley San Bernardino County · 5,957 people
- Madera Acres Madera County · 9,846 people
- Madera Ranchos Madera County · 3,037 people
- Magalia Butte County · 7,389 people
- Marin City Marin County · 3,195 people
- Marina del Rey Los Angeles County · 9,176 people
- Mather Sacramento County · 4,520 people
- Mayfair Fresno County · 5,044 people
- Mayflower Village Los Angeles County · 4,950 people
- McKinleyville Humboldt County · 17,113 people
- McSwain Merced County · 5,783 people
- Mead Valley Riverside County · 19,286 people
- Meadow Vista Placer County · 3,162 people
- Meadowbrook Riverside County · 2,627 people
- Mecca Riverside County · 7,184 people
- Meiners Oaks Ventura County · 3,934 people
- Mentone San Bernardino County · 9,514 people
- Midway City Orange County · 7,999 people
- Mira Monte Ventura County · 6,888 people
- Mission Hills Santa Barbara County · 3,859 people
- Mojave Kern County · 5,173 people
- Mono Vista Tuolumne County · 3,675 people
- Montara San Mateo County · 2,917 people
- Montecito Santa Barbara County · 9,031 people
- Morada San Joaquin County · 3,383 people
- Morongo Valley San Bernardino County · 4,209 people
- Moss Beach San Mateo County · 2,683 people
- Mountain View Acres San Bernardino County · 3,512 people
- Muscoy San Bernardino County · 12,025 people
- Myrtletown Humboldt County · 5,322 people
- Nice Lake County · 2,569 people
- Nipomo San Luis Obispo County · 17,516 people
- North Auburn Placer County · 13,480 people
- North El Monte Los Angeles County · 4,086 people
- North Fair Oaks San Mateo County · 13,100 people
- North Fork Madera County · 2,999 people
- North Highlands Sacramento County · 47,957 people
- North Lakeport Lake County · 2,995 people
- North Richmond Contra Costa County · 3,855 people
- North Shore Riverside County · 3,515 people
- North Tustin Orange County · 25,807 people
- Nuevo Riverside County · 6,803 people
- Oak Hills San Bernardino County · 9,013 people
- Oak Park Ventura County · 13,757 people
- Oak View Ventura County · 6,141 people
- Oakhurst Madera County · 6,091 people
- Oasis Riverside County · 4,051 people
- Oceano San Luis Obispo County · 7,128 people
- Oildale Kern County · 34,687 people
- Old Fig Garden Fresno County · 5,503 people
- Old Stine Kern County · 3,760 people
- Olivehurst Yuba County · 18,444 people
- Orangevale Sacramento County · 35,958 people
- Orcutt Santa Barbara County · 31,454 people
- Orosi Tulare County · 8,966 people
- Oroville East Butte County · 7,504 people
- Pacheco Contra Costa County · 4,325 people
- Pajaro Monterey County · 2,899 people
- Palermo Butte County · 5,266 people
- Palo Cedro Shasta County · 3,685 people
- Parksdale Madera County · 2,885 people
- Parkway Sacramento County · 15,397 people
- Patterson Stanislaus County · 26,587 people
- Pepperdine University Los Angeles County · 3,087 people
- Phelan San Bernardino County · 18,496 people
- Phoenix Lake Tuolumne County · 4,794 people
- Pine Grove Amador County · 3,040 people
- Pine Hills Humboldt County · 2,875 people
- Pine Mountain Club Kern County · 2,838 people
- Pixley Tulare County · 3,742 people
- Piñon Hills San Bernardino County · 7,065 people
- Planada Merced County · 3,506 people
- Pleasure Point Santa Cruz County · 5,489 people
- Plumas Lake Yuba County · 9,418 people
- Pollock Pines El Dorado County · 6,212 people
- Potomac Park Kern County · 10,138 people
- Prunedale Monterey County · 19,723 people
- Quartz Hill Los Angeles County · 11,510 people
- Ramona San Diego County · 22,634 people
- Rancho Calaveras Calaveras County · 7,131 people
- Rancho Mission Viejo Orange County · 11,971 people
- Rancho Murieta Sacramento County · 5,875 people
- Rancho San Diego San Diego County · 21,272 people
- Reliez Valley Contra Costa County · 3,173 people
- Rexland Acres Kern County · 2,760 people
- Ridgecrest Kern County · 28,333 people
- Ridgemark San Benito County · 3,403 people
- Rio Linda Sacramento County · 16,335 people
- Rio del Mar Santa Cruz County · 9,201 people
- Riverdale Fresno County · 3,653 people
- Rodeo Contra Costa County · 8,976 people
- Rollingwood Contra Costa County · 3,627 people
- Rosamond Kern County · 21,473 people
- Rosedale Kern County · 18,877 people
- Rosemont Sacramento County · 23,766 people
- Rossmoor Orange County · 11,532 people
- Rowland Heights Los Angeles County · 45,911 people
- Running Springs San Bernardino County · 4,917 people
- Sage Riverside County · 3,781 people
- Salida Stanislaus County · 13,900 people
- Salton City Imperial County · 5,988 people
- San Andreas Calaveras County · 2,979 people
- San Antonio Heights San Bernardino County · 3,458 people
- San Clemente Orange County · 62,226 people
- San Diego Country Estates San Diego County · 10,223 people
- San Lorenzo Alameda County · 29,171 people
- San Martin Santa Clara County · 6,954 people
- San Miguel Contra Costa County · 3,967 people
- San Miguel San Luis Obispo County · 3,227 people
- Santa Rosa Valley Ventura County · 2,780 people
- Santa Venetia Marin County · 3,725 people
- Santa Ynez Santa Barbara County · 4,467 people
- Saranap Contra Costa County · 5,662 people
- Seacliff Santa Cruz County · 3,299 people
- Shingle Springs El Dorado County · 3,801 people
- Silver Lakes San Bernardino County · 6,977 people
- Sleepy Hollow Marin County · 3,063 people
- Soquel Santa Cruz County · 10,679 people
- South Monrovia Island Los Angeles County · 6,830 people
- South Oroville Butte County · 2,846 people
- South San Gabriel Los Angeles County · 7,923 people
- South San Jose Hills Los Angeles County · 16,911 people
- South Taft Kern County · 2,939 people
- South Whittier Los Angeles County · 55,650 people
- Spring Valley San Diego County · 31,969 people
- Spring Valley Lake San Bernardino County · 9,483 people
- Squaw Valley Fresno County · 3,361 people
- Stallion Springs Kern County · 2,937 people
- Stanford Santa Clara County · 18,662 people
- Stevenson Ranch Los Angeles County · 20,990 people
- Strathmore Tulare County · 2,675 people
- Strawberry Marin County · 5,830 people
- Sun Village Los Angeles County · 11,036 people
- Sunnyside Fresno County · 4,639 people
- Sutter Sutter County · 2,532 people
- Tamalpais-Homestead Valley Marin County · 12,085 people
- Tara Hills Contra Costa County · 4,840 people
- Tarpey Village Fresno County · 3,106 people
- Temescal Valley Riverside County · 30,069 people
- Templeton San Luis Obispo County · 9,580 people
- Thermalito Butte County · 6,720 people
- Thousand Palms Riverside County · 7,720 people
- Tipton Tulare County · 2,851 people
- Topanga Los Angeles County · 8,885 people
- Twin Lakes Santa Cruz County · 5,073 people
- University of California-Davis Yolo County · 8,696 people
- University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara County · 12,121 people
- Val Verde Los Angeles County · 3,291 people
- Valinda Los Angeles County · 20,962 people
- Valle Vista Riverside County · 18,602 people
- Valley Center San Diego County · 11,119 people
- Vandenberg AFB Santa Barbara County · 3,477 people
- Vandenberg Village Santa Barbara County · 6,776 people
- View Park-Windsor Hills Los Angeles County · 11,230 people
- Vincent Los Angeles County · 15,340 people
- Vine Hill Contra Costa County · 3,540 people
- Vineyard Sacramento County · 43,751 people
- Walnut Park Los Angeles County · 14,958 people
- Weaverville Trinity County · 4,018 people
- Weedpatch Kern County · 2,685 people
- West Athens Los Angeles County · 8,726 people
- West Bishop Inyo County · 2,551 people
- West Carson Los Angeles County · 22,143 people
- West Menlo Park San Mateo County · 3,634 people
- West Modesto Stanislaus County · 5,978 people
- West Puente Valley Los Angeles County · 22,495 people
- West Rancho Dominguez Los Angeles County · 23,300 people
- West Whittier-Los Nietos Los Angeles County · 25,615 people
- Westmont Los Angeles County · 34,123 people
- Willowbrook Los Angeles County · 21,681 people
- Wilton Sacramento County · 6,433 people
- Winchester Riverside County · 4,555 people
- Winter Gardens San Diego County · 22,131 people
- Winton Merced County · 11,797 people
- Wofford Heights Kern County · 2,656 people
- Woodbridge San Joaquin County · 4,144 people
- Woodcrest Riverside County · 17,368 people
- Wrightwood San Bernardino County · 5,067 people
- Yosemite Lakes Madera County · 5,288 people
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which California town has the most civic life?
Carmel-by-the-Sea (Monterey County) ranks first on civic life among 448 towns, with an A+; Sebastopol and Mount Shasta follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Civic life grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): library visits per resident (IMLS), community nonprofits (IRS) and volunteering groups. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a civic life grade (448 in California). 399 towns of 2,500+ lack the figures and are listed above. Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the California page.
Go deeper
All California rankings →More California lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live841 towns · #1 San MiguelBest small towns347 towns · #1 San MiguelMost affordable towns846 towns · #1 Desert EdgeSafest towns416 towns · #1 ImperialTowns with the best schools847 towns · #1 MontecitoHealthiest towns847 towns · #1 West Menlo ParkBest towns for jobs & income847 towns · #1 PiedmontMost walkable towns847 towns · #1 StanfordTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk847 towns · #1 Fruitridge PocketBest towns for the outdoors847 towns · #1 West BishopMost historic towns847 towns · #1 View Park-Windsor HillsTowns with the least snow38 towns · #1 PhelanDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns38 towns · #1 TruckeeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters757 towns · #1 Palos Verdes EstatesDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers757 towns · #1 NeedlesDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers757 towns · #1 EurekaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes846 towns · #1 Alamo and 17 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes754 towns · #1 Desert EdgeDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns451 towns · #1 ParadiseDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries116 towns · #1 Carmel-by-the-SeaDescribed, no letters
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