Ceres, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ceres, California had a total population of 49,342, the 191st largest city in California, with a median household income of $79,025, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Ceres Quick Facts
How Ceres 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 | 48,918 | 49,342 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $76,862 | $79,025 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $397,200 | $424,800 | +6.9% |
How Ceres 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+)
Ceres 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 |
| 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 |
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | 12.4% | $304,700 |
Cities Similar to Ceres
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemead | 50,013 | $73,566 | $807,200 | 21.6% | 13.7% |
| Watsonville | 51,712 | $78,393 | $686,000 | 12.4% | 14.7% |
| San Luis Obispo | 48,491 | $73,685 | $935,100 | 54.4% | 30.4% |
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | 40.7% | 11.0% |
| Florin | 50,211 | $71,111 | $386,900 | 14.0% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Ceres is a mid-sized community located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 49,342. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ceres is 32.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ceres is $79,025. This is 20% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.2%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $424,800. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ceres is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.8%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.2% vs 40.2%).
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 73.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ceres, 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 Ceres, California?
Ceres, California has a population of 49,342 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ceres, CA?
The median household income in Ceres is $79,025, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ceres, CA?
The poverty rate in Ceres is 15.9%. This means approximately 7,735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ceres, California?
Ceres's population is 20.8% White, 1.1% Black, 65.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ceres, CA?
The median home value in Ceres is $424,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Ceres, California?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Ceres hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.