Eureka, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Eureka, California had a total population of 26,010, the 293rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $57,662, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.0x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Eureka Quick Facts
How Eureka 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 | 26,302 | 26,010 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $60,253 | $57,662 | -4.3% |
| Median home value | $375,800 | $404,500 | +7.6% |
How Eureka 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+)
Eureka Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Humboldt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcata | 18,607 | $46,713 | 27.2% | $484,600 |
| McKinleyville | 17,113 | $73,327 | 14.2% | $457,600 |
| Fortuna | 12,326 | $62,289 | 18.2% | $379,700 |
| Myrtletown | 5,322 | $60,457 | 17.2% | $453,400 |
| Humboldt Hill | 3,551 | $71,667 | 15.0% | $406,500 |
| Cutten | 3,550 | $97,225 | 12.2% | $471,300 |
| Rio Dell | 3,349 | $42,753 | 17.6% | $301,700 |
| Pine Hills | 2,875 | $78,393 | 16.1% | $487,800 |
| Bayview (Humboldt County) | 2,803 | $48,406 | 22.9% | $416,400 |
| Hoopa | 2,233 | $64,643 | 21.5% | $248,500 |
Cities Similar to Eureka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinuba | 25,475 | $59,484 | $275,000 | 14.1% | 26.8% |
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | $290,700 | 15.9% | 21.3% |
| Reedley | 25,609 | $63,307 | $334,800 | 16.0% | 22.3% |
| Barstow | 25,100 | $53,380 | $245,000 | 13.2% | 23.1% |
| Wasco | 26,558 | $51,727 | $273,600 | 6.2% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Eureka is a mid-sized community located in California, within Humboldt County. The total population is 26,010. It ranks as the 293rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eureka is 39.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eureka is $57,662. This is 42% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $404,500. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Eureka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.1% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (15.9%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eureka, 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 Eureka, California?
Eureka, California has a population of 26,010 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eureka, CA?
The median household income in Eureka is $57,662, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Eureka, CA?
The poverty rate in Eureka is 18.1%. This means approximately 4,655 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eureka, California?
Eureka's population is 64.1% White, 2.0% Black, 15.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eureka, CA?
The median home value in Eureka is $404,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Eureka, California?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Eureka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.