Dana Point, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dana Point, California had a total population of 32,790, the 249th largest city in California, with a median household income of $141,520, which is 43% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
Dana Point Quick Facts
How Dana Point 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 | 32,883 | 32,790 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $127,246 | $141,520 | +11.2% |
| Median home value | $1,200,900 | $1,320,300 | +9.9% |
How Dana Point 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+)
Dana Point Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
Cities Similar to Dana Point
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill | 34,235 | $145,029 | $1,077,100 | 54.6% | 7.3% |
| Beverly Hills | 31,624 | $132,977 | $2,000,000+ | 69.9% | 9.6% |
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | $1,062,100 | 49.4% | 9.3% |
| Fair Oaks | 32,799 | $116,975 | $683,000 | 48.7% | 7.2% |
| Laguna Hills | 30,740 | $128,851 | $1,012,300 | 54.7% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Dana Point is a mid-sized community located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 32,790. It ranks as the 249th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dana Point is 47.4 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dana Point is $141,520. This is 43% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 75% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,320,300. Housing costs are 80% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dana Point is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (72.0% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
56.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% higher 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 96.1%. Notably, 23.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dana Point, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dana Point, California?
Dana Point, California has a population of 32,790 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dana Point, CA?
The median household income in Dana Point is $141,520, which is 75% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dana Point, CA?
The poverty rate in Dana Point is 7.2%. This means approximately 2,345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dana Point, California?
Dana Point's population is 72.0% White, 1.4% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dana Point, CA?
The median home value in Dana Point is $1,320,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Dana Point, California?
56.6% of adults (25+) in Dana Point hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.