Barstow, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barstow, California had a total population of 25,100, the 306th largest city in California, with a median household income of $53,380, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
Barstow Quick Facts
How Barstow 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 | 25,198 | 25,100 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $51,811 | $53,380 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $222,600 | $245,000 | +10.1% |
How Barstow 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+)
Barstow Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Bernardino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | 18.6% | $422,300 |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | 9.9% | $586,800 |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | 12.4% | $607,600 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | 8.0% | $740,200 |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | 18.4% | $385,600 |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | 12.7% | $487,900 |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | 17.0% | $409,000 |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | 8.0% | $683,400 |
| Upland | 79,257 | $105,830 | 9.3% | $739,400 |
| Chino Hills | 77,927 | $126,334 | 7.6% | $874,900 |
Cities Similar to Barstow
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinuba | 25,475 | $59,484 | $275,000 | 14.1% | 26.8% |
| Wasco | 26,558 | $51,727 | $273,600 | 6.2% | 18.4% |
| Eureka | 26,010 | $57,662 | $404,500 | 29.0% | 18.1% |
| Selma | 24,659 | $60,241 | $315,300 | 10.0% | 19.0% |
| Maywood | 24,317 | $60,943 | $634,400 | 7.9% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Barstow is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 25,100. It ranks as the 306th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barstow is 32.7 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.5% of the population under 18, Barstow has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Barstow is $53,380. This is 46% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 92% 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 79% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $245,000. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Barstow is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.4% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barstow, 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 Barstow, California?
Barstow, California has a population of 25,100 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barstow, CA?
The median household income in Barstow is $53,380, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barstow, CA?
The poverty rate in Barstow is 23.1%. This means approximately 5,739 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barstow, California?
Barstow's population is 22.1% White, 16.4% Black, 49.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barstow, CA?
The median home value in Barstow is $245,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Barstow, California?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Barstow hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.