El Cerrito, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cerrito, California had a total population of 5,325, the 644th largest community in California, with a median household income of $108,882, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
El Cerrito Quick Facts
How El Cerrito 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 | 5,121 | 5,325 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $122,472 | $108,882 | -11.1% |
| Median home value | $598,000 | $627,400 | +4.9% |
How El Cerrito 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
El Cerrito Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to El Cerrito
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Pasadena | 5,479 | $109,136 | $1,069,200 | 56.8% | 9.3% |
| Old Fig Garden | 5,503 | $105,781 | $512,700 | 41.3% | 7.9% |
| Yosemite Lakes | 5,288 | $97,813 | $374,000 | 35.4% | 7.3% |
| Durham | 5,340 | $95,417 | $700,100 | 40.4% | 10.2% |
| Pleasure Point | 5,489 | $119,821 | $1,183,600 | 55.8% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
El Cerrito is a small city located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 5,325. It ranks as the 644th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cerrito is 35.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Cerrito is $108,882. This is 10% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $627,400. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in El Cerrito is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.5%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 77.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Cerrito, 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 El Cerrito, California?
El Cerrito, California has a population of 5,325 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cerrito, CA?
The median household income in El Cerrito is $108,882, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cerrito, CA?
The poverty rate in El Cerrito is 6.9%. This means approximately 367 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cerrito, California?
El Cerrito's population is 30.5% White, 2.5% Black, 51.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cerrito, CA?
The median home value in El Cerrito is $627,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is El Cerrito, California?
21.6% of adults (25+) in El Cerrito hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.