Blue Lake (formerly Scottsville) is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Blue Lake is located on the Mad River in a deep valley, 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Eureka, at an elevation of 131 feet (40 m). Its population is 1,208 as of the 2020 census, down from 1,253 from the 2010 census.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code95525

Area code707

Living in Blue Lake

Housing in Blue Lake

$432K▼ 2.7% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Blue Lake home is worth about $432,000, down 2.7% in a year, 43% below the California typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Blue Lake

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Blue Lake for work: only 2% work in town. The top destinations are Eureka (25%), Arcata (22%) and McKinleyville (7%). Half commute less than 10 miles.

Eureka

25%

Arcata

22%

McKinleyville

Fieldbrook

2%Work in townlive and work in Blue Lake 10 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 196Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Blue Lake →

Health in Blue Lake

Compared with California

12better than CA·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 15 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits 1▲ 3 close Care 4▲ 3 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5%Fewer uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · better 11.4%Fewer adults facing food insecurityCA 17.9% · better 9.5%More adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · worse

Care nearby

Mad River Community HospitalArcata · 5.3 mi · ER

Northcountry ClinicArcata · 4.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Blue Lake · CMS · HRSAHealth in Blue Lake →

Natural hazards in Blue Lake

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 87% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏚️ Earthquakes

1Does Blue Lake flood?paid flood claims since 1995 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 23 declared for Humboldt County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Blue Lake →

Climate in Blue Lake

Full climate →

Blue Lake has mild winters and cool summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 76°, a January night drops to 40°.

54° / 39°Winter

62° / 43°Spring

74° / 52°Summer

67° / 46°Fall

Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.4° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Blue Lake →

Schools in Blue Lake

All Blue Lake schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Blue Lake’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 61% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictBlue Lake Union ElementarySchools1

Blue Lake Union Elementary B-Elementary · Grades K–8 · 153 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.