El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), California had a total population of 25,994, the 294th largest city in California, with a median household income of $127,876, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 67.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) Quick Facts
How El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,398 | 25,994 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $133,283 | $127,876 | No clear change (-4.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $990,351 | $1,124,400 | +13.5% |
| Median gross rent | $2,407 | $2,548 | +5.8% |
How El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 44.1%
- Black: 5.2%
- Hispanic: 14.8%
- Asian: 28.3%
- Other: 0.5%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 3.7%
- HS Diploma: 11.3%
- Some College: 12.8%
- Associate's: 4.8%
- Bachelor's: 35.4%
- Graduate+: 32.2%
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Contra Costa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | 8.2% | $797,600 |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | 11.4% | $629,700 |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | 13.6% | $668,200 |
| San Ramon | 85,993 | $196,161 | 4.4% | $1,509,500 |
| Pittsburg | 76,257 | $99,861 | 11.2% | $597,900 |
| Walnut Creek | 70,088 | $130,432 | 6.4% | $1,057,300 |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | 8.3% | $836,600 |
| Oakley | 45,183 | $137,677 | 6.1% | $660,200 |
| Danville | 43,401 | $232,216 | 3.8% | $1,681,700 |
| Martinez | 36,903 | $127,355 | 6.3% | $859,800 |
Cities Similar to El Cerrito (Contra Costa County)
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena | 26,068 | $127,175 | $1,640,000 | 73.5% | 4.9% |
| Hercules | 26,302 | $129,397 | $769,400 | 46.1% | 5.6% |
| Windsor | 26,081 | $133,979 | $801,100 | 36.3% | 5.9% |
| Norco | 25,054 | $127,566 | $782,400 | 22.1% | 5.6% |
| Benicia | 26,749 | $121,204 | $810,000 | 47.6% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is a mid-sized community located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 25,994. It ranks as the 294th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is 41.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is $127,876. This is 29% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 58% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 43% 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 $1,124,400. Housing costs are 53% 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. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 28.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (14.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (28.3% vs 15.3%).
Education
67.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 82% 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 96.3%. Notably, 32.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), 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 (Contra Costa County), California?
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), California has a population of 25,994 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), CA?
The median household income in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is $127,876, which is 58% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), CA?
The poverty rate in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is 6.9%. This means approximately 1,781 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), California?
El Cerrito (Contra Costa County)'s population is 44.1% White, 5.2% Black, 14.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 28.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), CA?
The median home value in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) is $1,124,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is El Cerrito (Contra Costa County), California?
67.6% of adults (25+) in El Cerrito (Contra Costa County) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.