Ashland, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland, California had a total population of 22,210, the 328th largest community in California, with a median household income of $81,702, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.5x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 72/100).
Ashland Quick Facts
How Ashland 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 | 22,784 | 22,210 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $81,604 | $81,702 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $695,300 | $775,800 | +11.6% |
How Ashland 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ashland 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 Ashland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe | 21,269 | $82,002 | $682,400 | 35.9% | 9.3% |
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | $352,600 | 16.2% | 17.1% |
| West Puente Valley | 22,495 | $88,279 | $632,300 | 13.8% | 13.3% |
| Oakdale | 23,194 | $83,091 | $457,900 | 22.2% | 14.8% |
| West Carson | 22,143 | $92,775 | $689,700 | 36.9% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Ashland is a small city located in California, within Alameda County. The total population is 22,210. It ranks as the 328th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland is 35.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashland is $81,702. This is 18% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $775,800. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 35.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ashland is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 20.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.1%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (18.8% vs 5.2%).
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland, 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 Ashland, California?
Ashland, California has a population of 22,210 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland, CA?
The median household income in Ashland is $81,702, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland, CA?
The poverty rate in Ashland is 16.4%. This means approximately 3,608 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland, California?
Ashland's population is 11.1% White, 18.8% Black, 43.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland, CA?
The median home value in Ashland is $775,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.5x.
How educated is Ashland, California?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.