Big River, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big River, California had a total population of 1,140, the 1027th largest community in California, with a median household income of $39,773, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Big River Quick Facts
How Big River 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 | 1,025 | 1,140 | +11.2% |
| Median household income | $40,179 | $39,773 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $132,400 | $126,200 | -4.7% |
How Big River 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+)
Big River 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 River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
| Mariposa | 1,137 | $40,772 | $270,900 | 38.0% | 37.0% |
| Fort Hunter Liggett | 1,119 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | N/A |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | $226,200 | 14.4% | 14.8% |
| Squirrel Mountain Valley | 1,108 | N/A | $375,600 | 9.2% | 2.1% |
Population Overview
Big River is a small community located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 1,140. It ranks as the 1027th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big River is 59.5 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 8.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big River is $39,773. This is 60% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 11.3%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $126,200. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.2% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (15.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 86.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big River, 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 Big River, California?
Big River, California has a population of 1,140 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big River, CA?
The median household income in Big River is $39,773, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big River, CA?
The poverty rate in Big River is 20.0%. This means approximately 228 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big River, California?
Big River's population is 80.2% White, 0.0% Black, 15.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big River, CA?
The median home value in Big River is $126,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Big River, California?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Big River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.