Childcare costs in Plumas County, CA
$11,670 a year for center-based infant care - 17.2% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Plumas County, CA costs $11,670/year, while family childcare is $11,968/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 17.2% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $9,296/year, and preschool-age care is $7,698/year.
Plumas County vs. the nation
Plumas County, CA runs $11,670 a year for center-based infant care, 22% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 20% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 17.2% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $11,670/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +22%
- National rank
- #2,123 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 17.2%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $11,670
- Center Infant/yr
- $11,968
- Family Infant/yr
- $67,885
- Median Income
- 17.2%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $11,670 | $11,968 |
| Toddler | $9,296 | $10,915 |
| Preschool | $7,698 | $10,136 |
| School Age | $2,802 | $10,563 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Plumas County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$11,670 more affordable than 20% of 2,662 US counties
Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022
What These Numbers Mean for Plumas County Families
Weighed against a $67,885 median household income, Plumas County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 17.2% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 10.2 points.Between 15-20% of income, Plumas County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.
For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
14 years of federal survey data (2008–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $11,503 |
| 2009 | $12,794 |
| 2010 | $12,386 |
| 2011 | $11,979 |
| 2012 | $11,571 |
| 2013 | $12,359 |
| 2014 | $13,147 |
| 2015 | $12,866 |
| 2016 | $12,585 |
| 2017 | $11,035 |
| 2018 | $9,486 |
| 2019 | $7,937 |
| 2020 | $9,486 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $11,670 |
What this means for Plumas County families
Infant center care here takes 17.2% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 17.2% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
- See how Plumas County compares against the cheapest counties in California. Cheapest in California
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.