Big Bear Lake, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Bear Lake, California had a total population of 5,041, the 662nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $76,250, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Big Bear Lake Quick Facts
How Big Bear Lake 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 | 5,038 | 5,041 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $74,728 | $76,250 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $517,900 | $576,700 | +11.4% |
How Big Bear Lake 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Bear Lake 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 Big Bear Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrightwood | 5,067 | $74,332 | $470,700 | 47.4% | 10.0% |
| Goshen | 5,136 | $73,125 | $289,300 | 14.5% | 24.2% |
| Jackson | 5,048 | $70,239 | $442,700 | 23.5% | 10.9% |
| Running Springs | 4,917 | $81,516 | $385,000 | 30.6% | 15.5% |
| Sonora | 4,919 | $82,690 | $422,300 | 33.2% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Big Bear Lake is a small city located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 5,041. It ranks as the 662nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Bear Lake is 46.6 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is $76,250. This is 23% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $576,700. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Bear Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.0% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
33.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Bear Lake, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Bear Lake, California?
Big Bear Lake, California has a population of 5,041 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median household income in Big Bear Lake is $76,250, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The poverty rate in Big Bear Lake is 6.2%. This means approximately 311 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Bear Lake, California?
Big Bear Lake's population is 65.0% White, 1.0% Black, 26.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median home value in Big Bear Lake is $576,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Big Bear Lake, California?
33.9% of adults (25+) in Big Bear Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.