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California Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, California has a total population of 39,242,785, with a median household income of $96,334, which is 23% higher the national average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.

California Quick Facts

Population 39,242,785
Median Household Income $96,334
Median Home Value $695,400
Poverty Rate 12.0%
Unemployment Rate 6.4%
Median Age 37.6 years
Homeownership Rate 55.8%
Affordability Ratio 7.2x
Bachelor's Degree+ 36.5%
High School Graduation 84.6%
Counties 58
Cities/Places 1,577
Population 39,242,785
Median Income $96,334 23% higher national
Poverty Rate 12.0%
Unemployment 6.4%

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.4% Unemployment Rate State: 6.4% | National: 5.2%
63.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 55.8%
Renter 44.2%
Affordability Index Very Expensive
7.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

69out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 69 | National average: 60

Education

Largest Cities in California

#CityPopulationMedian IncomePoverty
1Los Angeles city3,857,897$80,36616.6%
2San Diego city1,385,061$104,32111.1%
3San Jose city990,054$141,5657.8%
4San Francisco city836,321$141,44610.6%
5Fresno city543,615$66,80420.9%
6Sacramento city524,802$83,75314.4%
7Long Beach city458,491$83,96915.0%
8Oakland city438,072$97,36913.7%
9Bakersfield city408,366$77,39716.0%
10Anaheim city344,553$90,58312.5%

Richest Cities in California

#CityMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+
1Los Altos city$250,001$2,000,00187.2%
2Orinda city$250,001$1,804,40085.4%
3Alamo CDP$250,001$2,000,00176.3%
4Hillsborough town$250,001$2,000,00182.8%
5Piedmont city$250,001$2,000,00186.8%
6Los Altos Hills town$250,001$2,000,00185.6%
7Atherton town$250,001$2,000,00185.9%
8Camino Tassajara CDP$250,001$2,000,00170.0%
9Woodside town$250,001$2,000,00175.9%
10Emerald Lake Hills CDP$250,001$2,000,00175.6%

Most Affordable Cities in California

By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.

#CityRatioHome ValueIncome
1Oasis CDP1.0x$35,600$36,553
2Searles Valley CDP1.0x$68,500$65,625
3Desert Edge CDP1.4x$56,900$40,089
4Lenwood CDP2.0x$139,600$70,714
5Mesa Verde CDP2.1x$102,700$48,523
6Boron CDP2.1x$131,100$61,607
7Stebbins CDP2.2x$242,400$108,056
8Jones Valley CDP2.4x$220,200$91,471
9Nice CDP2.5x$173,100$70,274
10China Lake Acres CDP2.5x$168,100$67,438

Explore California Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

All Counties in California (58)

58 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Los Angeles County9,848,406$87,76013.6%$783,300
San Diego County3,282,782$102,28510.3%$791,600
Orange County3,164,063$113,7029.5%$915,500
Riverside County2,449,909$89,67211.1%$510,300
San Bernardino County2,187,816$82,18413.6%$475,000
Santa Clara County1,903,297$159,6746.9%$1,382,800
Alameda County1,651,949$126,2409.2%$1,057,400
Sacramento County1,584,047$88,72412.6%$498,900
Contra Costa County1,161,458$125,7278.3%$830,800
Fresno County1,012,152$71,43418.7%$362,600
Kern County910,433$67,66019.1%$310,600
Ventura County838,259$107,3279.0%$768,400
San Francisco County836,321$141,44610.6%$1,380,500
San Joaquin County787,416$88,53112.6%$494,500
San Mateo County745,100$156,0006.5%$1,494,500
Stanislaus County552,250$79,66113.2%$426,600
Sonoma County485,642$102,8408.6%$779,000
Tulare County475,774$69,48917.8%$303,000
Solano County450,824$99,9949.7%$589,600
Santa Barbara County443,975$95,97713.8%$735,700
Monterey County435,834$94,48612.6%$723,100
Placer County412,435$114,6786.7%$658,800
Merced County285,597$65,04418.4%$368,400
San Luis Obispo County281,486$93,39812.8%$777,200
Santa Cruz County266,021$109,26611.2%$1,015,200
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All Cities & Places in California (1,577)

1577 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Los Angeles city3,857,897$80,36616.6%$879,500
San Diego city1,385,061$104,32111.1%$848,500
San Jose city990,054$141,5657.8%$1,187,800
San Francisco city836,321$141,44610.6%$1,380,500
Fresno city543,615$66,80420.9%$348,500
Sacramento city524,802$83,75314.4%$484,600
Long Beach city458,491$83,96915.0%$762,200
Oakland city438,072$97,36913.7%$924,700
Bakersfield city408,366$77,39716.0%$347,300
Anaheim city344,553$90,58312.5%$771,700
Stockton city320,470$76,85115.4%$412,900
Riverside city316,241$88,57512.5%$542,100
Santa Ana city311,639$88,35411.1%$657,800
Irvine city308,160$129,64711.7%$1,115,400
Chula Vista city275,030$105,1738.4%$697,400
Santa Clarita city229,021$119,9267.7%$721,000
Fremont city228,518$176,3505.1%$1,289,400
San Bernardino city221,774$63,98819.5%$384,900
Modesto city218,614$77,89913.0%$415,600
Fontana city211,921$98,18710.3%$558,500
Moreno Valley city210,378$87,47711.8%$461,400
Oxnard city201,014$93,37210.8%$617,800
Huntington Beach city196,010$119,8857.4%$1,047,300
Glendale city192,270$84,26213.4%$1,043,900
Ontario city178,347$82,80612.7%$568,000
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Download California Data

Free CSV downloads of California demographic data — no account or payment required.

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Cities Data (CSV) All cities: population, income, housing, race, education
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Counties Data (CSV) All counties: population, income, housing, race, education

Population Overview

California has a total population of 39,242,785, making it one of the most populous state in the nation. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% lower the national median of 38.7 years.

Age Demographics

The median age in California is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in California is $96,334. This is 23% higher than the state median of $78,538. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $695,400. Housing costs are 129% higher than the state median of $303,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 65.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

California is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.6%. The Black or African American population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (39.8% vs 19.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.0% vs 5.8%).

Education

36.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 35.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of California?

California has a total population of 39,242,785 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median income in California?

The median household income in California is $96,334, which is 23% higher the national median of $78,538.

How many cities are in California?

California has 1,577 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 58 counties.

What is the poverty rate in California?

The poverty rate in California is 12.0%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.

What is the largest city in California?

The largest city in California is Los Angeles city with a population of 3,857,897.