Cowan, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cowan, California had a total population of 497, the 1215th largest community in California. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Cowan Quick Facts
How Cowan 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 | 497 | 497 | +0.0% |
How Cowan 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+)
Cowan Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Stanislaus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto | 219,215 | $79,891 | 13.3% | $442,700 |
| Turlock | 72,502 | $82,995 | 11.3% | $460,600 |
| Ceres | 49,342 | $79,025 | 15.9% | $424,800 |
| Riverbank | 25,166 | $87,966 | 12.8% | $463,200 |
| Patterson | 24,693 | $93,650 | 9.0% | $450,200 |
| Oakdale | 23,194 | $83,091 | 14.8% | $457,900 |
| Salida | 13,900 | $94,935 | 8.2% | $461,100 |
| Newman | 12,316 | $78,906 | 12.2% | $412,700 |
| Waterford | 9,204 | $74,343 | 13.9% | $402,200 |
| Hughson | 7,648 | $91,557 | 13.9% | $511,200 |
Cities Similar to Cowan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Road Flat | 498 | $87,951 | $426,100 | 14.0% | 13.1% |
| Courtland | 496 | $74,433 | $692,000 | 50.0% | 7.9% |
| Graeagle | 496 | N/A | $489,500 | 22.7% | 12.1% |
| Bass Lake | 499 | $133,964 | N/A | 51.4% | 21.0% |
| Buena Vista | 493 | $72,031 | $233,100 | 23.7% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 497, Cowan's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cowan is a small community located in California, within Stanislaus County. The total population is 497. It ranks as the 1215th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cowan is 22.4 years. This is 41% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.4% of the population under 18, Cowan has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $364,300. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $734,700. 41.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cowan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (61.4% vs 33.8%).
Education
8.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 80.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cowan, 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 Cowan, California?
Cowan, California has a population of 497 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cowan, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cowan — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cowan, CA?
The poverty rate in Cowan is 5.5%. This means approximately 26 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cowan, California?
Cowan's population is 61.4% White, 0.0% Black, 38.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cowan, CA?
The median home value in Cowan is $364,300.
How educated is Cowan, California?
8.4% of adults (25+) in Cowan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.