$401,546Average Value$236Average Price per Sq Ft44Homes For Sale
Cottonwood is a growing, rural community with a historic downtown
Located about 10 miles from Redding, the community of Cottonwood has farmland and a historic downtown with an Old West charm. “It’s good, wholesome living and a tight-knit community. The area is spread out, but the people are close,” says Todd Janes, a Realtor with Real Brokerage with about 19 years of experience. “To put it this way, it’s like 15 minutes to Costco and 10 minutes to Walmart, so it’s in the country, but it’s not disconnected.” The community evolved from a resting point along the Oregon Trail to a lumber and cattle shipping stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Many acres of Cottonwood are dedicated to agriculture and the population grew to over 6,000 in 2020, nearly twice as many as the United States Census Bureau recorded in 2010.
Much of the Cottonwood community is farmland.
Historic Old Town Cottonwood has an Old West charm.
1/2
Properties with single-family homes and increasing acreage near I-5
Single-family houses vary architecturally from minimal traditionals near downtown to ranch-style homes and new traditionals in cul-de-sacs. Prices range from $170,000 to $550,000, as property sizes increase, both west and east of Interstate 5. Some properties span nearly 12 acres. “It’s a nice community with people who want more land and don't necessarily want to know their neighbors,” Janes says. Mobile homes in the area go for $12,000 to $290,000, depending on property sizes.
Properties by streams may have an elevated flooding risk, with water levels rising following heavy rainstorms. With abundant natural space and a dry climate, areas around Cottonwood also may be at an elevated risk of wildfires.
New traditional homes in Cottonwood cul da sac share wide and peaceful streets.
Some properties in Cottonwood span nearly 12 acres with horses and cows to graze the fields.
1/2
Lakeside fun, the Cottonwood Community Centerconcerns
Cottonwood Community Center is one of the few places with a public playground in the area. The center’s halls and kitchens are rentable. The Sacramento River feeds streams to the east, bringing many salmon and trout to the Coleman Fish Hatchery, about 10 miles away. Nearly 30 miles north, Shasta Lake spans over 30,000 acres and ripples with jet skis and boats pulling inner tubes. Whiskeytown Lake is just over 25 miles away, with a sandy shore that fills with sunbathers and picnickers on hot summer days. Anglers, kayakers and windsurfers share the 3,000-acre surface of the lake.
The Cottonwood Community Center and Park has a playground enjoyed by the local children.
Streams in and around Cottonwood are beautiful to look at and hike along.
1/2
Shopping and dining in central Cottonwood
Central Cottonwood has a shopping center with a Holiday Market and local restaurants, such as the coffee house, The Bean & Mercantile. Nearby, downtown Cottonwood has locally owned businesses, including gift shops and home goods stores. “Downtown is not touristy. It’s got the neighborhood restaurant, the local accountant and a hardware store,” Janes says. Restaurants include Roger’s Frosty and The Tailgate, both of which serve American fare.
Holiday Market in Cottonwood has a few eateries and shopping outlets and is central to the city.
Locals from Cottonwood come to Valley West Ace Hardware for their home project supplies.
1/2
Learning in Cottonwood Union and Anderson Union High school districts
Cottonwood Union School District serves the area. North Cottonwood School is the district’s kindergarten through fourth-grade school, and West Cottonwood Junior High School is its fifth through eighth-grade school. Both schools and the district earn B-plus grades from Niche. Anderson Union High School District has six ninth through 12th-grade schools and receives a B-plus overall. Anderson Union High School also maintains a B-plus and has Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses, making students eligible to earn college credits.
Students thrive at West Cottonwood Jr. High.
The American flag is flown at the center courtyard of the Anderson Union High School.
1/2
Car-dependent community with interstate ties to Redding and Anderson
Interstate 5 connects Cottonwood to Redding and Redding Regional Airport in about 10 miles. The airport has limited flights but offers nonstop travel to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle. Medical offices and hospitals, including those in the Shasta Community Health Center, are about 5 miles away in Anderson.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Watson
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Richard Howe,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Cottonwood, CA sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Cottonwood, CA over the last 12 months is $345,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
An incredible investment opportunity awaits in this updated duplex, ideally located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Cottonwood. Whether you're a first-time buyer ready to live in one side and let the other help pay the mortgage, or an experienced investor seeking strong returns with minimal headache—this property delivers.Unit B has been completely renovated from top to
OPEN HOUSE Friday 9/19/25 10:00-11:30. Cute home with a large lot and large covered patio area! The house is nice with a country kitchen, good sized living room, and is in good condition. The property is fully fenced with 2 outbuildings across the street from a school. The fire department is directly behind the good sized lot. All level and ready for your garden.
2.4 acres with power, septic & well is ready to bring back to life. Overlooking the Cottonwood creek valley, this property has the potential you been looking for. Current MDF is in disrepair and hold zero value. Several out buildings in fair condition. Bring in your tiny home or build custom. Check with local authorities to see the full possibilities of this property.
This spectacular ridgetop acreage is fenced and cross fenced with spectacular panoramic views !! North view at Mt Shasta, east to Mt Lassen, and west to the western range. This private agricultural land has several building sites, with rolling slope terrain and views. The well produces a good amount of water and Evergreen Middle school is just minutes away. Quiet and peaceful describes this best,
Prime 15-Acre Commercial Parcel in Cottonwood, CA.Exceptional opportunity to develop a high-visibility, freeway-access property in the growing Cottonwood area. This versatile parcel is ideally suited for a gas station, car wash, restaurants, motel/hotel, or other high-traffic commercial uses. Its strategic location can serve both the local community and steady freeway traffic. Preliminary
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
