Is Colfax a good place to live? We explore what living in Colfax CA is like, discussing everything from its crime rate, historical significance, cost of living, and much more. This picturesque town, situated in the Sierra Foothills, has much to offer, all while retaining its rural and quaint charm.
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Experience Rich History When Living in Colfax CA
Colfax is named after the former U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax, with its first inhabitants being Maidu and Miwok Native Americans. The city has changed its name twice in the past: first from Alder Grove to Illinoistown, and then, after being incorporated as Colfax on February 23, 1910. Its downtown area once served as a central hub to its surrounding communities.
What Is Colfax Known for?
This very small town in Placer County is known for its history rooted in the California Gold Rush and for being a notable stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Colfax has since developed into a residential community yet still retains its roots, as the Colfax Heritage Museum is one of its main attractions.
Where Is Colfax?
The Placer County city of Colfax is located at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and State Route 174. This northern California gem sits at the Sierra Nevada foothills and boasts close proximity to larger cities like Sacramento, Grass Valley, Auburn, and Placerville.
It’s 49.2 miles from Colfax CA to Sacramento CA ; Bear River is 42.2 miles away.
Public Transportation
Living in Colfax CA provides access to a robust transportation line-up.
Placer County Transit (PCT)
Route 40, or the Alta/Colfax Route, connects people living in Colfax to the Colfax Amtrak Station, Auburn Amtrak Station, and the Alta Store.
Placer Commuter Express
While only available during the week, residents can take the Placer Commuter Express to Downtown Sacramento from the Colfax Amtrak station; there are stops in various cities near Sacramento, including Auburn and Rocklin.
Dial-a-Ride and On-Demand Services
When living in Colfax CA, you can utilize the Placer County Dial-A-Ride services. There is no service on Sundays, but Monday through Saturday, you can call 530-745-7560 or 916-745-7560 to schedule your ride.
Amtrak
Amtrak’s California Zephyr route connects people living in Colfax CA, to destinations far and wide, including Sacramento, Emeryville (near San Francisco), Reno, NV, and even Chicago, Illinois!
Colfax Population
Colfax has a population of 2,009 and has experienced a 2% population increase since 2010. People living in Colfax have a low median household income of $74,583. Additionally, 12.51% of residents live below the poverty line. However, the cost of living in Colfax is low (which we discuss below), meaning a lower wage can be stretched further than in other cities in the Golden State.
What Are The Demographics of Colfax? – Racial & Ethnic Makeup, Average Commute Times, Income Per Capita, etc.
- Median age: 36.3 years old
- Sex ratio: 51 females to 49 males
- Mean commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Owner-occupied homes: 44%
- Educational attainment: 94.2% have high school diplomas, and 19.5% have bachelor’s degrees
- Foreign-born population: 6.1%
- Veteran population: 8%
In addition to its diverse age demographics and high veteran population, Colfax California has a notably high Hispanic or Latino population of 58.6%. While terrific regardless, these figures are no surprise, considering Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in California.
Other residents living in Colfax CA are 46.5% White (35.4% non-Hispanic or Latino), 20.2% two or more races, 1.7% Black or African American, 1.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian. The smallest ethnic group in the city is Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, at 0.2%.
Colfax CA Crime Rate
While the FBI does not provide crime rate statistics for Colfax, we can use nearby Auburn as a reference.
- Auburn crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,952
- California crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,843
- US crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,324
- Auburn violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 416
- California violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 500
- US violent crime rate per 100,000 people: 370
- Sacramento property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,536
- California property crime rate per 100,000 people: 2,343
- US property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,954
Auburn is only 19 minutes from Colfax, providing a good indication of the area’s safety and the types of crime issues it faces. Placer County is one of the safer counties in California and is home to several of the state’s cities with the lowest crime rates.
Emergency Services
Placer County Sheriff’s Department and its award-winning staff provide emergency police services to people living in Colfax CA.
Cost of Living in Colfax CA
The Cost of Living Index (COLI) in Colfax, California, is 117, making it 17% more expensive than the average US city. However, its COLI is still 27.8% below the California average. Colfax may be pricer compared to other cities in the United States, but it’s affordable for California.
Typical *Colfax living expenses:
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: $20.00
- Gallon of milk: $4.56
- Pound of local cheese: $7.30
- Dozen eggs: $4.52
- Pound of white rice: $2.62
- Average utilities per month: $129 (per Doxo)
- Colfax sales tax: 7.25%
*The above figures are for Sacramento, meaning prices may differ when living in Colfax CA.
Colfax CA Real Estate Market Overview
Is living in Colfax affordable even when buying a house? Finding your dream home here is a breeze, considering the housing market is far more affordable when compared to other California cities.
- Median home price in Clovis: $544,800
- Median home price in Rocklin: $689,000
The median sale price in Colfax is $510,000, slightly higher than the US median of $419,200. This city is a highly desirable place to call home—it’s no wonder homes for sale in Colfax CA, typically sell within 31.5 days.
We understand that not everyone is interested in purchasing a house; considering 56% of people living in Colfax CA, rent, this is especially true here. RedFin has only five homes available for rent, compared to the 80 homes that are for sale, meaning its rental market is somewhat competitive. According to Zumper, the median rent for a two-bedroom rental in Colfax is $1,850 a month—this figure has dropped by 35% since last year.
Colfax Weather & Climate
This charming town boasts lovely weather year-round! It has a Koppen climate classification of Csa, which is described as a Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot and dry, whereas the winters are cold and wet. Temperatures vary drastically, with an average low of 33°F in the cold season and 97°F in the warm season.
The rainiest month is Febuary, with a 35% chance of rainfall on any given day. July is the driest, with a 0% chance. The average annual snowfall in Colfax is 10 inches.
The best time to visit the city of Colfax is from mid-June to late September, when rainfall is minimal and before the cold weather sets in.
Things to Do in Colfax
If you’re seeking scenic trails, natural beauty, and outdoor adventure galore, living in Colfax CA is for you. Here are the top outdoor activities, things to do in Colfax CA, and other local amenities.
Rollings Lake
Rollings Lake (or Rollings Reserve) offers fishing, swimming, bird-watching, and camping opportunities, making it one of the top activities near Colfax.
Rollins, Grass Valley, CA 95945, (530) 265-8861
Stevens Trail
Stevens Trail is one of the top hiking areas in the city. It offers 4.5 miles of pure beauty and connects Colfax to Iowa Hill. People report seeing many wildflowers and waterways on the trails. It’s also dog-friendly, making it a great choice for the whole family.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Hwy, Colfax, CA 95713, (916) 941-3101
Colfax Heritage Museum
Step back in time at the Colfax Heritage Museum, a small museum showcasing local historical facts and memorabilia, making it a must-do activity when living in Colfax CA!
99 Railroad St, Colfax, CA 95713, (530) 346-8599
Additional Attractions & Recreational Activities in Colfax
For more information regarding the four parks in Colfax CA, and which annual events you may want to attend, check out the city’s official website.
Colfax Restaurants
This city offers a handful of local restaurants to choose from, but a wider range of options can be found in its surrounding communities. Here are the top restaurants in Colfax CA.
TJ’s Roadhouse
Enjoy American classics like chicken fried steak, bread pudding, burgers, fries, and shakes at TJ’s Roadhouse. After moving to Colfax, ensure to try its very own greasy spoon.
520 S Auburn St, Colfax, CA 95713, (530) 346-1040
Main Street Pizza/The Basement on Main St.
Main Stree Pizza offers a wide range of dishes; whether you’re in the mood for wings or pad thai, they have options. Reviewers rave about their service, high-quality food, and cold brews on tap.
46 N Main St, Colfax, CA 95713, (530) 346-8200
Madi’s Mexicali Stop
Colfax’s high Hispanic population means there is authentic Mexican cuisine galore here. Madi’s provides complimentary chips and salsa, fresh ceviche, and hearty carnitas burritos. After relocating here, be sure to try one of the best Colfax CA restaurants, Madi’s!
212 N Canyon Way, Colfax, CA 95713, (530) 512-5069
Jobs in Colfax CA
Colfax is comprised of primarily residential homes, meaning its commercial activity is minimal; most people living in Colfax CA commute to larger economies for work. Sacramento and its $189,624.282 million Gross Domestic Product is a short 50-minute drive west, and thousands of jobs are hiring in Grass Valley, California.
Placer County has leading industries in financial services and real estate, natural resources and construction, and retail trade. Its major employers are Backyard Bar & BBQ, City of Roseville, Northstar California, and Oracle.
Colfax jobs for residents to consider—from customer service representative positions to assembly technicians, this city has options for you. If you work in the public sector, the city Colfax CA jobs offer competitive pay and great benefits.
Colfax Schools
Colfax Elementary School District serves TK-8 students living in Colfax CA; Placer Union High School District serves 9-12 students. Colfax Elementary School District provides its families with unique services, including after-school care, mental health support, and technology assistance. Placer Union School District’s student resources include child nutrition programs and mental health services with six full-time counselors.
Additional Statistics For Schools in Colfax
- Colfax High School offers 10 Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
- Colfax High School has a graduation rate of 96%.
- Del Oro High School is ranked the #1 high school in its district.
- Colfax Elementary School District has a 19:1 student-to-teacher ratio; the state average is 21.8:1.
While both school districts have a reputation (according to Niche) for providing quality education, if you prefer private schooling, here’s what Colfax’s area has to offer:
Live Oak Waldorf School is a K-8 private school located in Meadow Vista, CA, that offers an immersive Waldorf curriculum. They offer unique programs like playgroups for children from 9 months to 2 years and preschool programs.
Colfax Statistics & Information
- Colfax county: Placer County
- Colfax area: 1.41 square miles
- Colfax zip code: 95713
- Colfax area code: 530
- Colfax elevation: 2,425
- Colfax time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Colfax: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 55.1 miles from Colfax CA
Colfax CA Map
Explore more on living in Colfax CA with this Colfax map!
Moving to Colfax With Mother Lode Moving
Living in Colfax CA offers stunning natural landscapes and a close-knit community fit for families, young adults, or the elderly. When you’re ready to take the leap, call the best Colfax CA movers, Mother Lode Moving, at (916) 631-4285.
