Chester, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, California had a total population of 1,759, the 924th largest community in California, with a median household income of $47,129, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,145 | 1,759 | No clear change (-18.0%) |
| Median household income | $70,304 | $47,129 | -33.0% |
| Median home value¹ | $254,880 | $304,800 | No clear change (+19.6%) |
| Median gross rent | $783 | $1,110 | +41.8% |
How Chester Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 85.3%
- Black: 0.6%
- Hispanic: 10.1%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 11.1%
- HS Diploma: 18.4%
- Some College: 41.4%
- Associate's: 10.3%
- Bachelor's: 12.0%
- Graduate+: 6.8%
Chester Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Plumas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Quincy | 2,723 | $70,213 | 5.6% | $322,600 |
| Portola | 2,441 | $44,492 | 22.3% | $231,300 |
| Quincy | 1,317 | $89,000 | 9.2% | $300,500 |
| Delleker | 724 | $53,698 | 5.9% | $334,800 |
| Chilcoot-Vinton | 686 | $122,764 | 15.3% | N/A |
| Graeagle | 496 | N/A | 12.1% | $489,500 |
| Hamilton Branch | 480 | $109,118 | 19.0% | $367,600 |
| Lake Almanor Country Club | 469 | $80,917 | 9.0% | $648,900 |
| Lake Almanor West | 463 | $184,286 | 16.0% | $696,300 |
| Iron Horse | 434 | N/A | 0.0% | $315,500 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| London | 1,800 | $48,750 | $215,300 | 6.6% | 44.4% |
| Le Grand | 1,636 | $45,938 | $286,000 | 10.8% | 16.0% |
| Cabazon | 1,887 | $48,704 | $270,400 | 8.4% | 24.3% |
| Lost Hills | 1,926 | $45,976 | $187,500 | 1.9% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in California, within Plumas County. The total population is 1,759. It ranks as the 924th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 61.6 years. This is 63% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 13.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.3% 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 Chester is $47,129. This is 52% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $304,800. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.3% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.1%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, California?
Chester, California has a population of 1,759 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, CA?
The median household income in Chester is $47,129, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, CA?
The poverty rate in Chester is 11.3%. This means approximately 196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, California?
Chester's population is 85.3% White, 0.6% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, CA?
The median home value in Chester is $304,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Chester, California?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.