According to the website Nerd Wallet, the City of Brentwood was ranked as the “Best City” for Homeownership in the State of California out of 178 cities with a population of 50,000 or more.
Here is what they said about Brentwood:
1. Brentwood
Once known as primarily a farming town, Brentwood has transformed itself into a residential community. With the highest population growth rate on our list (9.7% from 2010 to 2012), and a homeownership rate of 75.7%, Brentwood exhibits some of the healthiest signs of homeownership in the state. The city’s growing popularity is no wonder, given its proximity to the natural beauty at Mount Diablo State Park, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Sherman Lake. Residents can also indulge in Brentwood’s agricultural sector by picking cherries or strawberries at local farms or they can take a break to enjoy one of Brentwood’s free Friday summer concerts. For those feeling guilty after enjoying the city’s sedentary and sweet comforts, don’t fret: Brentwood is one of 51 communities in California recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as “Bicycle Friendly.”
While Brentwood was ranked No. 1, here is a look at other cities in the area:
1. Brentwood
9. San Ramon
19 Tracy
26 Livermore
43 Antioch
51 Pleasanton
58 Pittsburg
80 Turlock
89 Concord
91 Walnut Creek
97 Stockton
105 Sacramento
115 Richmond
169 Oakland
171 San Francisco
The City of Oakley and Town of Discovery Bay were not ranked because their population is not 50,000 or more.
Methodology
The overall score for each city was derived from these measures:
1. Homeownership rate made up 33.3% of the total score. A higher rate earned a higher score. The rate comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.
2. Selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of median household income made up 16.7% of the total score. A lower percentage earned a higher score. Monthly homeowner costs as a percentage of median household income made up one-half of the affordability score. Median household income comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 03. The figure for monthly homeowner costs comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.
3. Median home value made up 16.7% of the total score. A lower value earned a higher score. Median home value made up one-half of the affordability score. Median home value comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.
4. Population change from 2010 to 2012 made up 33.3% of the total score. A higher percent change earned a higher score. The 2010 population comes from the 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 05. The 2012 population data comes from the 2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 05. NerdWallet calculated the percent change.
This study analyzed 178 communities in California with population of 50,000 or more.
For the full article and all rankings, please visit www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-cities-homeownership-california/
10 comments
Where is Sherman Lake? Have lived here in Contra Costa County all my life! Never heard if this lake! There is Sherman Island in the Delta but no Sherman Lake near Brentwood!!
Well Laura, it’s not a “lake” so to speak. It is the large body of water west and
slightly north (bordering on) Sherman Island…part of the delta. It lies between our rivers. Called a “lake” because it is entirely encircled by small islands and tule berms with Mayberry Slough coming in from the South and a break allowing access into the the Sacramento River on the North. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the explanation! Growing up, my parents always had boats and been on the Delta since 1954 and never heard of Sherman Lake!
Next to Sherman Island Laura is the location of Sherman Lake. It flooded eons ago.
I wonder why Brentwood is such a great place to live…
While this is a ranking for best city to own a home, it does not mean that it’s the best city to live.
And who said it was the BEST city to live?
However, anyone in the area would never mention Sherman Lake. That is hardly a must visit in the area. It is more like a hardly mention in the area and I have been here over 50 years and a fisher man.
I agree! So many other things to do and see! Sherman Lake???
On many maps, Sherman Lake is a widening of the delta waters just West of Sherman Island. The campground on Sherman Island and the Antioch ramp are convenient access points. It seems to me that the person writing this article must be a fisherman since this is not well known….
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