Is Oroville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Oroville
Is it Safe to Live in Oroville?
Oroville experiences a higher than average crime rate, particularly concerning property crimes. The city’s overall crime rate is 47 per one thousand residents, which is significantly higher than both the California and national averages (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Oroville is approximately one in 21.
Violent crime rates are also a concern, with a higher likelihood of experiencing these crimes compared to the state average. Specifically, the chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Oroville is one in 104, a rate that is higher than in California overall (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Motor vehicle theft is noted as being particularly prevalent, with Oroville having one of the highest rates in the nation for this type of property crime (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Housing Costs
The housing market in Oroville presents a mixed picture for potential buyers and renters. The median sale price of a home in Oroville was approximately $264,000 in March 2026, showing a slight decrease from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). However, the median listing price for homes in Oroville is currently around $364,500 (as reported by Realtor.com® Research).
Rental costs in Oroville are generally more affordable than the national average. The average rent for all property types is about $1,450 per month (as reported by Zillow), with a range that can extend from $550 to $7,995. This median rent is also reported as $1,400 per month by Realtor.com® Research, showing a year-over-year increase of 12%.
Job Market and Economy
Oroville’s economy is supported by a diverse range of employers, though specific major employers are not consistently detailed across all sources. The employment rate in Oroville, CA, is currently around 92.03% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). This indicates a generally stable job market for residents actively seeking employment.
The median household income in Oroville was reported as $52,270 in 2024 (as reported by US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). However, a notable 13.5% of Oroville families live in poverty (as reported by the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey). The average annual salary in Oroville is approximately $52,796 as of May 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Climate
Oroville experiences a Mediterranean climate with distinct seasons. Summers are hot, arid, and mostly clear, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 87°F between June and September (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is typically July, with average highs around 95°F and lows of 66°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
Winters in Oroville are cold, wet, and partly cloudy. The cool season lasts from November to February, with average daily high temperatures below 62°F (as reported by Weather Spark). December usually sees the coldest temperatures, with an average low of 41°F and a high of 55°F. Oroville experiences significant seasonal variation in rainfall, with February typically being the wettest month, receiving an average of 6.2 inches of rain (as reported by Weather Spark).
Education
The educational landscape in Oroville includes several public schools. Oroville High School has an overall Niche Grade of C-minus, with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1. According to state test scores, 14% of students are proficient in math and 40% in reading (as reported by Niche).
Other schools in the area also show varied performance. For instance, Hearthstone Charter School receives a B rating and has a 4 out of 5 stars rating based on reviews (as reported by Niche). The Oroville Union High School District as a whole has a B-minus rating (as reported by Niche).
Demographics
Oroville’s population was approximately 19,752 as of 2024, making it the 350th most populated city in California (as reported by US Census data). The projected population for 2026 is 19,898 (as reported by CUBIT). The median age of residents is 35.8 years (as reported by CUBIT).
The racial and ethnic makeup of Oroville is diverse, with White residents comprising the largest group at 54.6%, followed by Hispanic residents at 21.7%, and Asian residents at 10.2% (as reported by CUBIT). A notable 13.5% of Oroville families live below the poverty line (as reported by CUBIT).