Covelo, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Covelo, California had a total population of 1,286, the 1001st largest community in California, with a median household income of $34,583, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 22.4% is notably above the national average.
Covelo Quick Facts
How Covelo 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 | 1,495 | 1,286 | -14.0% |
| Median household income | $35,735 | $34,583 | -3.2% |
| Median home value | $322,600 | $360,000 | +11.6% |
How Covelo 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+)
Covelo Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Mendocino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukiah | 16,304 | $66,160 | 17.9% | $458,400 |
| Fort Bragg | 7,032 | $56,481 | 18.2% | $535,400 |
| Willits | 4,920 | $63,447 | 9.9% | $371,100 |
| Brooktrails | 4,398 | $116,056 | 5.4% | $371,700 |
| Redwood Valley | 1,898 | $63,563 | 17.3% | $651,200 |
| Talmage | 1,128 | $44,647 | 23.0% | $437,500 |
| Hopland | 983 | $91,786 | 14.1% | $612,200 |
| Point Arena | 789 | $108,095 | 10.1% | $436,000 |
| Anchor Bay | 771 | $88,194 | 4.2% | $1,605,500 |
| Laytonville | 720 | $37,656 | 18.2% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Covelo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buttonwillow | 1,163 | $35,086 | $213,600 | 2.3% | 25.1% |
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
| Teviston | 1,182 | $38,447 | $187,500 | 0.0% | 39.1% |
| Fort Hunter Liggett | 1,119 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | N/A |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | $226,200 | 14.4% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Covelo is a small community located in California, within Mendocino County. The total population is 1,286. It ranks as the 1001st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Covelo is 32.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.5% of the population under 18, Covelo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Covelo is $34,583. This is 65% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.5%. This is 204% 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 22.4%. This is 239% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $360,000. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Covelo is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 72.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Covelo, 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 Covelo, California?
Covelo, California has a population of 1,286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Covelo, CA?
The median household income in Covelo is $34,583, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Covelo, CA?
The poverty rate in Covelo is 36.5%. This means approximately 467 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Covelo, California?
Covelo's population is 29.7% White, 0.1% Black, 44.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Covelo, CA?
The median home value in Covelo is $360,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.4x.
How educated is Covelo, California?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Covelo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.