Chowchilla city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Chowchilla city, California has a total population of 18,876, the 366th largest city in California, with a median household income of $63,308, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Chowchilla city Quick Facts
How Chowchilla city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chowchilla city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Chowchilla city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valle Vista CDP | 19,263 | $61,799 | $315,400 | 14.8% | 18.3% |
| South El Monte city | 19,413 | $67,153 | $578,100 | 10.2% | 23.8% |
| Lennox CDP | 20,289 | $60,307 | $677,600 | 11.9% | 14.8% |
| Stanford CDP | 17,958 | $70,651 | $2,000,001 | 91.1% | 18.2% |
| Laguna Woods city | 17,342 | $60,235 | $364,900 | 51.8% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Chowchilla city is a small city located in California. The total population is 18,876. It ranks as the 366th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chowchilla city is 34.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chowchilla city is $63,308. This is 34% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 86% 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 9.2%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $331,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chowchilla city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.7%. The Asian population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chowchilla city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chowchilla city, California?
Chowchilla city, California has a population of 18,876 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chowchilla city, CA?
The median household income in Chowchilla city is $63,308, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Chowchilla city, CA?
The poverty rate in Chowchilla city is 22.3%. This means approximately 2,986 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chowchilla city, California?
Chowchilla city's population is 34.7% White, 5.8% Black, 49.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chowchilla city, CA?
The median home value in Chowchilla city is $331,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Chowchilla city, California?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Chowchilla city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.