El Rio, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Rio, California had a total population of 6,368, the 604th largest community in California, with a median household income of $72,598, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
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.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
El Rio Quick Facts
How El Rio 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 | 6,343 | 6,368 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $83,233 | $72,598 | -12.8% |
| Median home value | $639,600 | $638,300 | -0.2% |
How El Rio 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+)
El Rio Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Ventura County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxnard | 200,928 | $96,212 | 11.1% | $652,700 |
| Simi Valley | 125,634 | $122,081 | 6.4% | $823,800 |
| Thousand Oaks | 125,205 | $135,603 | 8.9% | $991,600 |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 109,857 | $103,069 | 10.4% | $827,300 |
| Camarillo | 70,186 | $113,428 | 8.5% | $827,300 |
| Moorpark | 35,854 | $148,480 | 4.9% | $894,300 |
| Santa Paula | 31,376 | $79,294 | 14.2% | $611,200 |
| Port Hueneme | 21,582 | $92,660 | 11.4% | $587,000 |
| Fillmore | 16,816 | $92,931 | 7.0% | $602,500 |
| Oak Park | 13,757 | $163,085 | 4.2% | $1,036,900 |
Cities Similar to El Rio
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colusa | 6,505 | $71,250 | $375,000 | 15.8% | 18.1% |
| Pollock Pines | 6,212 | $74,924 | $394,000 | 20.6% | 16.7% |
| Lemoore Station | 6,175 | $69,243 | N/A | 23.2% | 9.4% |
| Joshua Tree | 6,234 | $66,291 | $334,200 | 27.0% | 22.6% |
| Cherry Valley | 6,668 | $76,895 | $408,000 | 19.9% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
El Rio is a small city located in California, within Ventura County. The total population is 6,368. It ranks as the 604th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Rio is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Rio is $72,598. This is 27% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.4%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $638,300. Housing costs are 13% lower 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. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in El Rio is Hispanic or Latino, making up 84.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.5%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (84.5% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 69.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Rio, 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 Rio, California?
El Rio, California has a population of 6,368 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Rio, CA?
The median household income in El Rio is $72,598, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Rio, CA?
The poverty rate in El Rio is 20.1%. This means approximately 1,276 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Rio, California?
El Rio's population is 14.5% White, 0.3% Black, 84.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Rio, CA?
The median home value in El Rio is $638,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is El Rio, California?
12.3% of adults (25+) in El Rio hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.