Cathedral City, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cathedral City, California had a total population of 52,267, the 179th largest city in California, with a median household income of $73,572, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cathedral City Quick Facts
How Cathedral City 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 | 52,047 | 52,267 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $67,031 | $73,572 | +9.8% |
| Median home value | $420,700 | $453,100 | +7.7% |
How Cathedral City 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+)
Cathedral City Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to Cathedral City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount | 52,050 | $75,250 | $533,700 | 14.9% | 12.6% |
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | 40.7% | 11.0% |
| Watsonville | 51,712 | $78,393 | $686,000 | 12.4% | 14.7% |
| Rosemead | 50,013 | $73,566 | $807,200 | 21.6% | 13.7% |
| Colton | 53,772 | $71,208 | $443,800 | 16.6% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Cathedral City is a mid-sized community located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 52,267. It ranks as the 179th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cathedral City is 41.1 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cathedral City is $73,572. This is 26% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $453,100. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cathedral City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.3%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (60.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 80.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cathedral City, 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 Cathedral City, California?
Cathedral City, California has a population of 52,267 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cathedral City, CA?
The median household income in Cathedral City is $73,572, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cathedral City, CA?
The poverty rate in Cathedral City is 13.1%. This means approximately 6,824 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cathedral City, California?
Cathedral City's population is 29.3% White, 1.9% Black, 60.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cathedral City, CA?
The median home value in Cathedral City is $453,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Cathedral City, California?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Cathedral City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.