Alturas, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alturas, California had a total population of 2,681, the 830th largest city in California, with a median household income of $59,896, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
Alturas Quick Facts
How Alturas 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 | 2,703 | 2,681 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $54,634 | $59,896 | +9.6% |
| Median home value | $152,600 | $170,100 | +11.5% |
How Alturas 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alturas Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Modoc County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedarville | 575 | $52,105 | 14.9% | $246,400 |
| Newell | 472 | $36,620 | 9.8% | N/A |
| California Pines | 427 | $66,328 | 22.5% | $292,900 |
| Canby | 259 | N/A | 92.1% | N/A |
| Fort Bidwell | 190 | N/A | 17.3% | $168,100 |
| Adin | 153 | $29,375 | 4.6% | $117,300 |
| Daphnedale Park | 106 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| New Pine Creek | 84 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Lookout | 49 | $140,568 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Lake City | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | $232,700 |
Cities Similar to Alturas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowbrook | 2,627 | $56,212 | $264,600 | 6.4% | 17.1% |
| Burney | 2,668 | $65,969 | $234,100 | 11.9% | 19.0% |
| Rexland Acres | 2,760 | $56,078 | $200,200 | 1.3% | 25.4% |
| Boron | 2,698 | $53,170 | $148,600 | 22.1% | 35.5% |
| Kings Beach | 2,736 | $68,153 | $772,100 | 30.8% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Alturas is a small community located in California, within Modoc County. The total population is 2,681. It ranks as the 830th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alturas is 45.3 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alturas is $59,896. This is 40% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 11.9%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $170,100. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $734,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Alturas is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alturas is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (71.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (18.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
32.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alturas, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alturas, California?
Alturas, California has a population of 2,681 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alturas, CA?
The median household income in Alturas is $59,896, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alturas, CA?
The poverty rate in Alturas is 18.0%. This means approximately 480 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alturas, California?
Alturas's population is 71.3% White, 0.5% Black, 18.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alturas, CA?
The median home value in Alturas is $170,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Alturas, California?
32.8% of adults (25+) in Alturas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.