Downey, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Downey, California had a total population of 110,939, the 60th largest city in California, with a median household income of $90,699, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
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 8.8x the median household income.
Downey Quick Facts
How Downey 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 | 111,793 | 110,939 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $90,699 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $728,500 | $796,600 | +9.3% |
How Downey 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+)
Downey 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 Downey
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | $537,300 | 22.6% | 9.5% |
| Santa Maria | 110,462 | $84,746 | $531,700 | 15.7% | 17.3% |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | $668,200 | 33.0% | 13.6% |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | $574,600 | 14.9% | 11.0% |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | $487,900 | 12.6% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Downey is a major urban center located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 110,939. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Downey is 37.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Downey is $90,699. This is 8% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $796,600. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Downey is Hispanic or Latino, making up 75.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.8%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (75.3% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Downey, 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 Downey, California?
Downey, California has a population of 110,939 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Downey, CA?
The median household income in Downey is $90,699, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Downey, CA?
The poverty rate in Downey is 9.0%. This means approximately 9,867 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Downey, California?
Downey's population is 11.8% White, 3.4% Black, 75.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Downey, CA?
The median home value in Downey is $796,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Downey, California?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Downey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.