Colton, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Colton, California had a total population of 53,772, the 173rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $71,208, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Colton Quick Facts
How Colton 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 | 54,580 | 53,772 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $66,259 | $71,208 | +7.5% |
| Median home value¹ | $316,907 | $443,800 | +40.0% |
| Median gross rent | $1,463 | $1,661 | +13.5% |
How Colton 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: 9.6%
- Black: 7.5%
- Hispanic: 75.2%
- Asian: 3.8%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 24.6%
- HS Diploma: 33.3%
- Some College: 17.8%
- Associate's: 7.8%
- Bachelor's: 10.6%
- Graduate+: 6.0%
Colton Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Bernardino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | 18.6% | $422,300 |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | 9.9% | $586,800 |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | 12.4% | $607,600 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | 8.0% | $740,200 |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | 18.4% | $385,600 |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | 12.7% | $487,900 |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | 17.0% | $409,000 |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | 8.0% | $683,400 |
| Upland | 79,257 | $105,830 | 9.3% | $739,400 |
| Chino Hills | 77,927 | $126,334 | 7.6% | $874,900 |
Cities Similar to Colton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral City | 52,267 | $73,572 | $453,100 | 24.5% | 13.1% |
| Paramount | 52,050 | $75,250 | $533,700 | 14.9% | 12.6% |
| Florin | 50,211 | $71,111 | $386,900 | 14.0% | 15.7% |
| Delano | 51,679 | $67,010 | $301,900 | 7.3% | 16.0% |
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | 40.7% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Colton is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 53,772. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Colton is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Colton is $71,208. This is 28% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $443,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Colton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 75.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (75.2% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 75.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Colton, 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 Colton, California?
Colton, California has a population of 53,772 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Colton, CA?
The median household income in Colton is $71,208, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Colton, CA?
The poverty rate in Colton is 13.7%. This means approximately 7,307 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Colton, California?
Colton's population is 9.6% White, 7.5% Black, 75.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Colton, CA?
The median home value in Colton is $443,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Colton, California?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Colton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.