Arcata, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arcata, California had a total population of 18,607, the 368th largest city in California, with a median household income of $46,713, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
Arcata Quick Facts
How Arcata 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 | 18,578 | 18,607 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $48,731 | $46,713 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $466,600 | $484,600 | +3.9% |
How Arcata 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+)
Arcata Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Humboldt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | 26,010 | $57,662 | 18.1% | $404,500 |
| McKinleyville | 17,113 | $73,327 | 14.2% | $457,600 |
| Fortuna | 12,326 | $62,289 | 18.2% | $379,700 |
| Myrtletown | 5,322 | $60,457 | 17.2% | $453,400 |
| Humboldt Hill | 3,551 | $71,667 | 15.0% | $406,500 |
| Cutten | 3,550 | $97,225 | 12.2% | $471,300 |
| Rio Dell | 3,349 | $42,753 | 17.6% | $301,700 |
| Pine Hills | 2,875 | $78,393 | 16.1% | $487,800 |
| Bayview (Humboldt County) | 2,803 | $48,406 | 22.9% | $416,400 |
| Hoopa | 2,233 | $64,643 | 21.5% | $248,500 |
Cities Similar to Arcata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arvin | 19,539 | $49,183 | $262,700 | 5.0% | 34.6% |
| Oroville | 19,752 | $52,270 | $311,600 | 12.2% | 21.4% |
| Lennox | 19,449 | $57,759 | $708,000 | 10.8% | 16.4% |
| Blythe | 17,396 | $56,625 | $225,000 | 8.6% | 18.9% |
| Clearlake | 16,659 | $41,867 | $214,200 | 7.9% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Arcata is a small city located in California, within Humboldt County. The total population is 18,607. It ranks as the 368th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arcata is 28.1 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arcata is $46,713. This is 53% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 126% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.9%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $484,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 36.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arcata is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (70.5% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
46.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 96.0%. Notably, 19.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arcata, 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 Arcata, California?
Arcata, California has a population of 18,607 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arcata, CA?
The median household income in Arcata is $46,713, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arcata, CA?
The poverty rate in Arcata is 27.2%. This means approximately 4,593 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arcata, California?
Arcata's population is 70.5% White, 3.0% Black, 16.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arcata, CA?
The median home value in Arcata is $484,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.4x.
How educated is Arcata, California?
46.3% of adults (25+) in Arcata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.