Mad River is a community in Trinity County, California, home to about 272 people across 35 square miles. It has no ZIP code of its own: it’s part of 95526 and 95552.
Homes sold for a median of $173 per square foot across 2 ZIP codes in the three months ending August 2026, and 1 of 2 were seller’s markets.
Part is in Mad River
Mostly Ruth; part is in Mad River
Each card is that ZIP code’s whole market, including any part outside Mad River. Seller’s market: under 4 months of supply; buyer’s market: over 6. Methodology
We’re writing up Mad River’s story and what everyday life there is like, for people thinking about moving in.
Are you a local agent who knows Mad River well? Agents who advertise here will be able to write the guide. Advertise on OfferBacked
| Nearest major airport | Sacramento International Airport (SMF)154 miles away |
|---|---|
| Closer regional airport | California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV)53 miles away |
| Nearest city of 250,000+ | Sacramento, CA165 miles away |
| Nearest city of 1 million+ | Los Angeles, CA520 miles away |
Straight-line distances from the center of Mad River; driving is longer.
Source: Airports from OurAirports (scheduled passenger service); city centers and populations from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: Members of Congress from the congress-legislators project; districts from the Census Bureau’s relationship files; governor and mayor from Wikidata.
Mad River had 361 residents in the 2020 census, down 14% since 2010.
It’s the 1327th largest of 1,563 towns in California by population.
Trinity County grew from 4,383 residents in 1900 to 16,112 in 2020.
Trinity County, 1900–2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial censuses (counties 1900–1990 from the Bureau’s historical county file).
Average highs peak around 73°F in summer, and winter lows average 38°F. About 52.2 inches of rain and melted snow fall in a typical year, with about 1 inches of snow.
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Grizzly Creek Sp, CA weather station (23 miles away).
1,426 jobs at 234 businesses in Trinity County. The biggest industries by employees:
Source: U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 (private employers; jobs counted where people work).
6 doctors and other health care providers list an office in Mad River’s ZIP codes.
Nearest hospitals
Providers with an office here
| Dentists | 2 |
|---|---|
| Nurse practitioners and physician assistants | 3 |
| Mental health providers | 1 |
Source: Hospitals from CMS Hospital General Information (ratings are CMS overall star ratings); straight-line distances; providers from the CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), by practice address and primary specialty.
Public schools here are run by Bridgeville Elementary, Southern Trinity Joint Unified. Check each district’s attendance zones for a specific address.
| School | Grades | Students | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeville ElementaryBridgeville | K–8 | 39 | Public | 17.0 mi |
| Van Duzen ElementaryMad River | K–8 | 54 | Public | 6.1 mi |
| Mt. Lassic High (Continuation)Mad River | 9–12 | — | Alternative Education | 6.1 mi |
| Southern Trinity HighMad River | 9–12 | 7 | Public | 6.1 mi |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES: Common Core of Data (2024-2025) for public schools. Listed by address; we don’t rate schools.
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Shares ZIP codes with Ruth.
Town boundaries don’t always match ZIP codes: a ZIP code can cross into neighboring towns, and a town can share a ZIP code with its neighbors. Facts describe the town itself; market figures describe whole ZIP codes.