Anderson is a small city of around 11,300 people in Shasta County, about 10 miles south of Redding, and its job market is best understood as an extension of Redding’s larger economy rather than a standalone hub — the two cities share a commute shed, and Anderson’s own job base leans heavily on retail and small business rather than the healthcare and government employment concentrated in Redding.
Anderson’s Economic Base
Anderson’s economy was historically built on lumber, and while that industry has faded, the city’s more recent identity is retail-driven, centered around the Shasta Outlets and a Walmart Supercenter that opened in 2006, which together created a retail corridor on the city’s south side. Agriculture and small business round out the local economic base, and the city retains a close-knit, small-town character — it’s not a major employment center on its own the way Redding is for the broader region.
Median household income in Anderson runs around $50,000 (2023 Census estimate), and the city’s cost of living tends to track close to the broader Shasta County/North State average, which is generally lower than the state as a whole.
What Kind of Jobs Are Actually Available
Given the local economic mix, the most consistent categories of work in Anderson itself are:
- Retail — positions at the Shasta Outlets stores and the Walmart Supercenter, along with other retailers along the Highway 273 corridor.
- Food service and hospitality — restaurants and service businesses supporting both residents and outlet-mall shoppers.
- Agriculture and small business — smaller-scale but a real part of the local economy given Anderson’s rural surroundings.
- City and school district positions — the City of Anderson and local school district post openings directly on their own sites.
For anything beyond retail, food service, or municipal work, most Anderson residents commute the short distance to Redding, which has the region’s major healthcare employer (Mercy Medical Center Redding), government offices, and a larger overall job market. If you’re weighing where to focus your search, checking Redding-based openings alongside Anderson-specific ones will give you a much fuller picture of what’s realistically available in a 10-mile radius.
Where to Search
- City of Anderson’s official website for municipal job postings.
- Indeed and LinkedIn, searching both “Anderson, CA” and “Redding, CA” given how closely linked the two job markets are.
- Shasta Outlets and Walmart’s own career pages directly for current retail openings, since these two anchor much of Anderson’s in-city retail employment.
Bottom Line
If you’re job hunting specifically in Anderson, expect the strongest opportunities in retail, food service, and small business, anchored by the Shasta Outlets and Walmart Supercenter. For a fuller range of career options — healthcare, government, education, professional roles — widen your search to include nearby Redding, since the two cities function as one practical commute area rather than separate job markets.
FAQ
What is Anderson, California’s main industry?
Retail is the most visible current industry, centered around the Shasta Outlets and a Walmart Supercenter, with agriculture and small business also contributing. The city’s economy was historically based on lumber.
How far is Anderson from Redding?
About 10 miles. Many Anderson residents commute to Redding for work, since Redding has the region’s larger job market, including its major hospital and government offices.
What is the median household income in Anderson, CA?
Around $50,000 based on 2023 Census estimates.
Should I search for jobs in Redding too if I’m looking in Anderson?
Yes. Anderson and Redding function as a single practical commute area, and Redding offers a much wider range of job categories, particularly in healthcare and government.
