Compton, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Compton, California had a total population of 92,698, the 84th largest city in California, with a median household income of $78,465, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Compton Quick Facts
How Compton 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 | 93,525 | 92,698 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $74,270 | $78,465 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $546,700 | $580,200 | +6.1% |
How Compton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Compton Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to Compton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | $458,400 | 20.5% | 11.5% |
| Arden-Arcade | 94,994 | $77,321 | $560,200 | 38.5% | 16.9% |
| South Gate | 91,483 | $74,571 | $636,300 | 11.3% | 12.7% |
| Redding | 93,409 | $70,466 | $382,300 | 27.0% | 14.1% |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | $858,300 | 25.9% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Compton is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 92,698. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Compton is 33.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Compton is $78,465. This is 21% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $580,200. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Compton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 72.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.7% vs 5.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (72.9% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 65.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Compton, 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 Compton, California?
Compton, California has a population of 92,698 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Compton, CA?
The median household income in Compton is $78,465, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Compton, CA?
The poverty rate in Compton is 17.9%. This means approximately 16,529 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Compton, California?
Compton's population is 0.6% White, 23.7% Black, 72.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Compton, CA?
The median home value in Compton is $580,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Compton, California?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Compton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.