Atwater, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atwater, California had a total population of 32,162, the 254th largest city in California, with a median household income of $64,472, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Atwater Quick Facts
How Atwater 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 | 32,013 | 32,162 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $63,945 | $64,472 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $340,600 | $363,400 | +6.7% |
How Atwater 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+)
Atwater Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
| Dos Palos | 5,765 | $42,367 | 17.6% | $299,500 |
Cities Similar to Atwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell | 32,476 | $61,020 | $591,600 | 9.7% | 21.6% |
| Banning | 31,093 | $61,764 | $352,100 | 16.5% | 18.8% |
| San Pablo | 31,720 | $79,478 | $551,700 | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Santa Paula | 31,376 | $79,294 | $611,200 | 15.1% | 14.2% |
| Desert Hot Springs | 33,200 | $52,761 | $354,800 | 16.7% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Atwater is a mid-sized community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 32,162. It ranks as the 254th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atwater is 33.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Atwater has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atwater is $64,472. This is 35% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 74% 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 12.3%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $363,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 52.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atwater is Hispanic or Latino, making up 59.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.1%. The Asian population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atwater, 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 Atwater, California?
Atwater, California has a population of 32,162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atwater, CA?
The median household income in Atwater is $64,472, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atwater, CA?
The poverty rate in Atwater is 20.9%. This means approximately 6,691 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atwater, California?
Atwater's population is 26.1% White, 3.0% Black, 59.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atwater, CA?
The median home value in Atwater is $363,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Atwater, California?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Atwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.