Avenal, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Avenal, California had a total population of 13,608, the 423rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $54,741, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.7% is notably above the national average.
Avenal Quick Facts
How Avenal 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 | 13,441 | 13,608 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $52,986 | $54,741 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $224,800 | $228,900 | +1.8% |
How Avenal 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Avenal Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Kings County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanford | 59,754 | $76,461 | 14.5% | $349,400 |
| Lemoore | 27,102 | $83,724 | 15.1% | $328,300 |
| Corcoran | 22,491 | $59,905 | 20.7% | $236,100 |
| Lemoore Station | 6,175 | $69,243 | 9.4% | N/A |
| Armona | 3,890 | $64,276 | 11.2% | $284,100 |
| Home Garden | 1,806 | $56,384 | 15.0% | $164,500 |
| Kettleman City | 1,002 | $47,743 | 31.1% | $141,300 |
| Stratford | 973 | $62,639 | 31.6% | $289,200 |
| Grangeville | 618 | $165,246 | 0.0% | $382,100 |
| Hardwick | 58 | N/A | 55.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Avenal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McFarland | 14,222 | $54,608 | $272,700 | 6.0% | 24.1% |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | $482,200 | 32.8% | 22.1% |
| Marysville | 12,726 | $56,430 | $292,300 | 15.7% | 24.5% |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | $256,400 | 5.6% | 27.1% |
| Lindsay | 12,643 | $53,201 | $286,400 | 5.7% | 33.1% |
Population Overview
Avenal is a small city located in California, within Kings County. The total population is 13,608. It ranks as the 423rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Avenal is 32.5 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Avenal is $54,741. This is 45% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.7%. This is 92% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $228,900. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Avenal has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (86.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
2.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 92% 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 51.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Avenal, 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 Avenal, California?
Avenal, California has a population of 13,608 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Avenal, CA?
The median household income in Avenal is $54,741, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Avenal, CA?
The poverty rate in Avenal is 19.1%. This means approximately 1,962 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Avenal, California?
Avenal's population is 8.1% White, 2.9% Black, 86.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Avenal, CA?
The median home value in Avenal is $228,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Avenal, California?
2.8% of adults (25+) in Avenal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.