Chowchilla, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chowchilla, California had a total population of 19,020, the 362nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $66,514, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
Chowchilla Quick Facts
How Chowchilla 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 | 18,876 | 19,020 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $63,308 | $66,514 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $331,500 | $364,000 | +9.8% |
How Chowchilla 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+)
Chowchilla Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Madera County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madera | 67,831 | $63,933 | 25.6% | $359,900 |
| Madera Acres | 9,846 | $78,457 | 16.2% | $346,800 |
| Oakhurst | 6,091 | $82,056 | 5.5% | $392,600 |
| Bonadelle Ranchos | 5,465 | $132,723 | 4.1% | $486,800 |
| Yosemite Lakes | 5,288 | $97,813 | 7.3% | $374,000 |
| Coarsegold | 3,967 | $80,861 | 6.2% | $350,000 |
| Madera Ranchos | 3,037 | $126,583 | 10.0% | $492,600 |
| North Fork | 2,999 | $71,619 | 15.1% | $382,600 |
| Parksdale | 2,885 | $51,587 | 21.1% | $274,700 |
| Parkwood | 1,758 | $61,645 | 20.8% | $237,500 |
Cities Similar to Chowchilla
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valle Vista | 18,602 | $66,825 | $336,200 | 15.5% | 16.7% |
| South El Monte | 19,287 | $72,990 | $601,000 | 10.5% | 20.9% |
| Stanford | 18,662 | $75,208 | $2,000,000+ | 92.3% | 15.9% |
| Lennox | 19,449 | $57,759 | $708,000 | 10.8% | 16.4% |
| Phelan | 18,496 | $79,914 | $386,800 | 12.4% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Chowchilla is a small city located in California, within Madera County. The total population is 19,020. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chowchilla is 34.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chowchilla is $66,514. This is 33% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.6%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $364,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chowchilla is Hispanic or Latino, making up 50.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.5%. The Asian population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 73.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chowchilla, 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 Chowchilla, California?
Chowchilla, California has a population of 19,020 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chowchilla, CA?
The median household income in Chowchilla is $66,514, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chowchilla, CA?
The poverty rate in Chowchilla is 19.6%. This means approximately 2,658 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chowchilla, California?
Chowchilla's population is 32.5% White, 5.9% Black, 50.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chowchilla, CA?
The median home value in Chowchilla is $364,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Chowchilla, California?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Chowchilla hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.