Berkeley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Berkeley, California had a total population of 120,257, the 53rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $108,092, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 74.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 13.1x the median household income.
Berkeley Quick Facts
How Berkeley 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 | 120,223 | 120,257 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $108,092 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $1,351,100 | $1,413,900 | +4.6% |
How Berkeley 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+)
Berkeley 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 |
| 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 |
| Castro Valley | 65,001 | $142,779 | 6.7% | $1,104,600 |
Cities Similar to Berkeley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | $797,600 | 37.5% | 8.2% |
| Fairfield | 120,785 | $101,895 | $624,300 | 26.6% | 10.2% |
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | $482,700 | 36.6% | 8.0% |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | $629,700 | 23.9% | 11.4% |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | $639,800 | 32.6% | 5.4% |
Population Overview
Berkeley is a major urban center located in California, within Alameda County. The total population is 120,257. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Berkeley is 33.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 12.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Berkeley is $108,092. This is 9% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,413,900. Housing costs are 92% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 13.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Berkeley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
74.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Berkeley in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 102% higher 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 95.8%. Notably, 42.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, California?
Berkeley, California has a population of 120,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Berkeley, CA?
The median household income in Berkeley is $108,092, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Berkeley, CA?
The poverty rate in Berkeley is 17.3%. This means approximately 18,666 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Berkeley, California?
Berkeley's population is 49.9% White, 7.7% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Berkeley, CA?
The median home value in Berkeley is $1,413,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 13.1x.
How educated is Berkeley, California?
74.9% of adults (25+) in Berkeley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 42.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.