Berkeley city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Berkeley city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 120,223. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Berkeley city is 32.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 12.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Berkeley city is $108,558. This is 13% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% higher. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,351,100. Housing costs are 94% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 12.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Berkeley city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.1%) is well below the state average of 39.8%.

Education

75.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Berkeley city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%. Notably, 41.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Berkeley city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.