Clearlake city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Clearlake city, California has a total population of 16,604, the 389th largest city in California, with a median household income of $41,580, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.9% is notably above the national average.
Clearlake city Quick Facts
How Clearlake 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+)
Clearlake city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Clearlake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerman city | 16,492 | $57,556 | $331,500 | 14.5% | 25.3% |
| Blythe city | 17,824 | $51,984 | $203,800 | 8.9% | 19.5% |
| Arcata city | 18,578 | $48,731 | $466,600 | 45.1% | 29.6% |
| Lemon Hill CDP | 14,942 | $49,441 | $328,000 | 8.9% | 28.3% |
| Red Bluff city | 14,592 | $50,216 | $271,100 | 12.9% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Clearlake city is a small city located in California. The total population is 16,604. It ranks as the 389th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clearlake city is 35.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Clearlake city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clearlake city is $41,580. This is 57% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 112% 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 16.9%. This is 162% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $204,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clearlake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (55.0% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clearlake 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clearlake city, California?
Clearlake city, California has a population of 16,604 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clearlake city, CA?
The median household income in Clearlake city is $41,580, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Clearlake city, CA?
The poverty rate in Clearlake city is 25.4%. This means approximately 4,158 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clearlake city, California?
Clearlake city's population is 55.0% White, 3.9% Black, 31.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clearlake city, CA?
The median home value in Clearlake city is $204,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Clearlake city, California?
6.9% of adults (25+) in Clearlake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.