California’s Most Disaster-Prone Cities See Billion-Dollar Housing Boom

Published: September 25, 2024 by Melissa Bauernfeind

Natural disasters can occur anywhere in the United States. The East Coast is prone to hurricanes and nor’easters; the Midwest is prone to tornadoes and blizzards, the South experiences hurricanes and floods can happen in every state and territory. Then there’s California, a state known for its beautiful weather, gorgeous parks, incredible coastlines, and beaches, and of course, its propensity for natural disasters. And yet, this doesn’t stop people from flocking to certain regions to set up homes. California’s most disaster-prone cities see billion-dollar housing boom.

Many disaster-prone cities have risks, and often the risk potential is enough to make many people relocate to safer areas. Whether you already live in California or are thinking of moving to the state, it’s always important to consider the facts and weigh your pros and cons before choosing a new place to live. (For similar reading, here’s a look at the 20 most powerful earthquakes in recorded history.)

Methodology

To determine the most disaster-prone cities in California, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on natural hazard risk for U.S. census tracts from the March 2023 FEMA National Risk Index dataset. Cities were ranked based on the average National Risk Index score – a composite risk score of 18 natural hazards: avalanche, coastal flooding, cold wave, drought, earthquake, hail, heat wave, hurricane, ice storm, landslide, lightning, riverine flooding, strong wind, tornado, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire, and winter weather – for all census tracts within their borders.

Data were aggregated from the census tract level to the city level using spatial boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line program. Supplemental data on the total value of all owner-occupied homes and populations are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Only places with at least 25,000 residents were considered.

50. Coachella, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.9 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -4.7%
Total population: 42,279

49. Martinez, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $8.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -2.1%
Total population: 37,093

48. Rohnert Park, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +5.1%
Total population: 44,461

47. Lafayette, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $14.9 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -1.9%
Total population: 25,310

46. Palo Alto, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $47.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +1.2%
Total population: 67,901

45. Santa Clara, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $31.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +2.7%
Total population: 128,058

44. Mountain View, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 91.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $27.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +2.6%
Total population: 82,132

43. San Pablo, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +3.9%
Total population: 31,907

42. Livermore, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $23.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -1.2%
Total population: 87,154

41. Ontario, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.2/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $14.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +3.1%
Total population: 176,326

40. Saratoga, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.3/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $28.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -0.8%
Total population: 30,771

39. South San Francisco, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $16.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -2.3%
Total population: 65,596

38. Cathedral City, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -3.3%
Total population: 51,964

37. Morgan Hill, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $11.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +5.0%
Total population: 45,291

36. Lake Elsinore, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +12.5%
Total population: 69,993

35. Culver City, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 92.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $12.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +2.3%
Total population: 40,357

34. Brea, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $8.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +12.4%
Total population: 47,099

33. Calexico, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $1.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -3.4%
Total population: 38,599

32. San Lorenzo, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +18.6%
Total population: 29,759

31. Redwood City, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $26.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -1.5%
Total population: 83,077

30. Menlo Park, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $19.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -1.0%
Total population: 33,324

29. Fremont, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $63.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -0.9%
Total population: 228,795

28. Pleasant Hill, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $9.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -0.5%
Total population: 34,504

27. Watsonville, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -1.9%
Total population: 52,457

26. Richmond, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 93.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $13.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +6.2%
Total population: 115,619

25. Lathrop, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +40.8%
Total population: 29,633

24. Redlands, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $8.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +3.5%
Total population: 73,234

23. Rialto, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +1.1%
Total population: 103,873

22. Chino, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $9.9 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +6.3%
Total population: 91,008

21. Alameda, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $18.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -0.9%
Total population: 77,565

20. San Bernardino, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $11.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +2.7%
Total population: 221,041

19. Milpitas, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 94.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $18.4 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +4.8%
Total population: 79,092

18. San Leandro, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 95.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $13.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -0.2%
Total population: 89,723

17. Temescal Valley, CA

FEMA National Risk Index score: 95.3/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +11.1%
Total population: 28,227

16. Highland, CA

Cityscape of Redlands and Highland, California taken from Panorama Drive, Redlands. San Bernardino National Forest. San Bernardino Mountains. San Gorgonio Mountains. Santa Ana River. Seven Oaks Dam