Dunsmuir, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunsmuir, California had a total population of 1,407, the 978th largest city in California, with a median household income of $58,281, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Dunsmuir Quick Facts
How Dunsmuir 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 | 1,519 | 1,407 | -7.4% |
| Median household income | $47,708 | $58,281 | +22.2% |
| Median home value | $262,800 | $279,000 | +6.2% |
How Dunsmuir 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dunsmuir Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Siskiyou County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yreka | 7,820 | $43,982 | 17.0% | $263,200 |
| Mount Shasta | 3,182 | $47,917 | 17.5% | $330,200 |
| Lake Shastina | 3,001 | $80,542 | 12.2% | $358,400 |
| Weed | 2,737 | $38,854 | 33.6% | $259,600 |
| Montague | 1,479 | $59,750 | 26.5% | $183,700 |
| Tulelake | 925 | $47,574 | 23.6% | $170,200 |
| Dorris | 869 | $41,563 | 19.1% | $154,700 |
| McCloud | 829 | $48,529 | 20.8% | $328,100 |
| Etna | 642 | $49,063 | 18.0% | $221,200 |
| Fort Jones | 562 | $47,375 | 30.1% | $228,700 |
Cities Similar to Dunsmuir
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littlerock | 1,398 | $56,792 | $357,300 | 7.1% | 6.9% |
| Taft Mosswood | 1,343 | $59,297 | $369,200 | 9.9% | 18.4% |
| Montague | 1,479 | $59,750 | $183,700 | 12.8% | 26.5% |
| Rouse | 1,462 | $61,250 | $330,600 | 3.3% | 12.7% |
| Woodville | 1,460 | $54,531 | $216,900 | 3.0% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Dunsmuir is a small community located in California, within Siskiyou County. The total population is 1,407. It ranks as the 978th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunsmuir is 49.1 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunsmuir is $58,281. This is 41% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.8%. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $279,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 64.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunsmuir is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.2% 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 (9.1%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunsmuir, 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 Dunsmuir, California?
Dunsmuir, California has a population of 1,407 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunsmuir, CA?
The median household income in Dunsmuir is $58,281, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunsmuir, CA?
The poverty rate in Dunsmuir is 11.4%. This means approximately 160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunsmuir, California?
Dunsmuir's population is 79.2% White, 1.4% Black, 9.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunsmuir, CA?
The median home value in Dunsmuir is $279,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Dunsmuir, California?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Dunsmuir hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.