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Colton city, California Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Colton city, California has a total population of 53,798, the 173rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $69,581, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.

Colton city Quick Facts

Population 53,798
Median Household Income $69,581
Median Home Value $411,100
Poverty Rate 15.3%
Unemployment Rate 6.9%
Median Age 33.9 years
Homeownership Rate 52.3%
Affordability Ratio 5.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 16.7%
High School Graduation Rate 75.3%
Diversity Index 43/100
Population 53,798 173rd of 1,577
Median Income $69,581 below average
Poverty Rate 15.3% 23% higher national
Median Home Value $411,100 below average

How Colton city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.9% Unemployment Rate State: 6.4% | National: 5.2%
62.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 52.3%
Renter 47.7%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

43out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 69 | National average: 60

Education

Colton city Rankings in California

#173 Population of 1,577
#951 Median Income of 1,577
#1051 Education of 1,577
#864 Home Value of 1,577

Explore California Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Colton city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Paramount city52,546$70,912$500,40013.1%13.3%
Cathedral City city52,047$67,031$420,70025.8%15.3%
Watsonville city51,968$74,785$657,70012.7%15.2%
San Jacinto city54,756$78,281$391,60013.9%16.4%
National City city55,960$64,248$580,90016.9%14.0%

Population Overview

Colton city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 53,798. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Colton city is 33.9 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Colton city is $69,581. This is 28% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $411,100. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 52.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Colton city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 74.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.5%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.2% vs 5.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (74.3% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (3.6%) 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 75.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Colton 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 Colton city, California?

Colton city, California has a population of 53,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Colton city, CA?

The median household income in Colton city is $69,581, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Colton city, CA?

The poverty rate in Colton city is 15.3%. This means approximately 8,156 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Colton city, California?

Colton city's population is 10.5% White, 8.2% Black, 74.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Colton city, CA?

The median home value in Colton city is $411,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.

How educated is Colton city, California?

16.7% of adults (25+) in Colton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.