Bret Harte, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bret Harte, California had a total population of 4,757, the 676th largest community in California, with a median household income of $52,500, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Bret Harte Quick Facts
How Bret Harte 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 | 4,807 | 4,757 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $42,422 | $52,500 | +23.8% |
| Median home value | $289,300 | $334,700 | +15.7% |
How Bret Harte 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+)
Bret Harte Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Stanislaus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto | 219,215 | $79,891 | 13.3% | $442,700 |
| Turlock | 72,502 | $82,995 | 11.3% | $460,600 |
| Ceres | 49,342 | $79,025 | 15.9% | $424,800 |
| Riverbank | 25,166 | $87,966 | 12.8% | $463,200 |
| Patterson | 24,693 | $93,650 | 9.0% | $450,200 |
| Oakdale | 23,194 | $83,091 | 14.8% | $457,900 |
| Salida | 13,900 | $94,935 | 8.2% | $461,100 |
| Newman | 12,316 | $78,906 | 12.2% | $412,700 |
| Waterford | 9,204 | $74,343 | 13.9% | $402,200 |
| Hughson | 7,648 | $91,557 | 13.9% | $511,200 |
Cities Similar to Bret Harte
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivanhoe | 4,629 | $52,179 | $228,100 | 12.1% | 17.9% |
| Mojave | 5,173 | $55,660 | $213,600 | 8.7% | 25.5% |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | $283,000 | 12.2% | 20.2% |
| Morongo Valley | 4,209 | $51,949 | $285,400 | 17.4% | 24.9% |
| Willits | 4,920 | $63,447 | $371,100 | 16.7% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Bret Harte is a small community located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 4,757. It ranks as the 676th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bret Harte is 25.1 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 36.1% of the population under 18, Bret Harte has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bret Harte is $52,500. This is 47% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.5%. This is 254% 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 10.9%. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $334,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 37.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bret Harte has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (93.2% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
1.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 95% 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 58.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bret Harte, 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 Bret Harte, California?
Bret Harte, California has a population of 4,757 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bret Harte, CA?
The median household income in Bret Harte is $52,500, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bret Harte, CA?
The poverty rate in Bret Harte is 42.5%. This means approximately 1,996 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bret Harte, California?
Bret Harte's population is 3.4% White, 0.3% Black, 93.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bret Harte, CA?
The median home value in Bret Harte is $334,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Bret Harte, California?
1.7% of adults (25+) in Bret Harte hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.