Dos Palos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dos Palos, California had a total population of 5,765, the 628th largest city in California, with a median household income of $42,367, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Dos Palos Quick Facts
How Dos Palos 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 | 5,757 | 5,765 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $50,556 | $42,367 | -16.2% |
| Median home value | $285,300 | $299,500 | +5.0% |
How Dos Palos 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+)
Dos Palos Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
Cities Similar to Dos Palos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Park | 5,707 | $49,717 | $240,600 | 8.7% | 37.0% |
| Salton City | 5,988 | $47,827 | $200,600 | 7.4% | 14.4% |
| Crescent City | 6,046 | $35,540 | $306,500 | 17.6% | 17.2% |
| East Porterville | 5,066 | $41,061 | $257,700 | 3.3% | 42.7% |
| Lucerne Valley | 5,957 | $54,788 | $269,100 | 21.1% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Dos Palos is a small city located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 5,765. It ranks as the 628th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dos Palos is 37.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dos Palos is $42,367. This is 57% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.4%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $299,500. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dos Palos is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 17.0%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (70.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 72.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dos Palos, 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 Dos Palos, California?
Dos Palos, California has a population of 5,765 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dos Palos, CA?
The median household income in Dos Palos is $42,367, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dos Palos, CA?
The poverty rate in Dos Palos is 17.6%. This means approximately 1,009 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dos Palos, California?
Dos Palos's population is 17.0% White, 1.1% Black, 70.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dos Palos, CA?
The median home value in Dos Palos is $299,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Dos Palos, California?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Dos Palos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.