Albany, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Albany, California had a total population of 19,414, the 358th largest city in California, with a median household income of $144,107, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 77.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
Albany Quick Facts
How Albany Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,768 | 19,414 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $135,927 | $144,107 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $1,188,600 | $1,202,200 | +1.1% |
How Albany Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Albany Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Alameda County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | 13.4% | $929,900 |
| Fremont | 228,295 | $181,506 | 5.2% | $1,403,800 |
| Hayward | 158,801 | $113,318 | 9.6% | $854,400 |
| Berkeley | 120,257 | $108,092 | 17.3% | $1,413,900 |
| San Leandro | 87,826 | $101,420 | 8.3% | $844,200 |
| Livermore | 85,522 | $160,775 | 4.9% | $1,105,600 |
| Alameda | 77,238 | $137,697 | 7.2% | $1,235,700 |
| Pleasanton | 76,960 | $190,124 | 5.3% | $1,537,100 |
| Dublin | 70,803 | $214,385 | 4.5% | $1,317,100 |
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | 7.2% | $1,104,900 |
Cities Similar to Albany
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coronado | 19,015 | $134,534 | $2,000,000+ | 65.5% | 4.7% |
| Rosedale | 18,877 | $135,966 | $608,900 | 41.2% | 6.4% |
| La Crescenta-Montrose | 19,660 | $130,000 | $1,207,100 | 56.8% | 5.1% |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | 19,765 | $125,107 | $952,400 | 46.5% | 4.8% |
| Hermosa Beach | 19,063 | $166,442 | $2,000,000+ | 76.0% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Albany is a small city located in California, within Alameda County. The total population is 19,414. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Albany is 38.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Albany is $144,107. This is 45% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 78% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,202,200. Housing costs are 64% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Albany is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 31.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (31.2% vs 15.3%).
Education
77.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Albany in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 110% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%. Notably, 42.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Albany, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Albany, California?
Albany, California has a population of 19,414 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Albany, CA?
The median household income in Albany is $144,107, which is 78% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Albany, CA?
The poverty rate in Albany is 6.8%. This means approximately 1,272 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Albany, California?
Albany's population is 43.0% White, 3.4% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 31.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Albany, CA?
The median home value in Albany is $1,202,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is Albany, California?
77.8% of adults (25+) in Albany hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 42.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.