Forest Ranch, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest Ranch, California had a total population of 1,915, the 909th largest community in California, with a median household income of $131,650, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in California.
Forest Ranch Quick Facts
How Forest Ranch 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 | 1,974 | 1,915 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $154,212 | $131,650 | -14.6% |
| Median home value | $491,300 | $445,800 | -9.3% |
How Forest Ranch 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+)
Forest Ranch Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | 102,188 | $66,977 | 22.7% | $468,100 |
| Oroville | 19,752 | $52,270 | 21.4% | $311,600 |
| Oroville East | 7,504 | $94,512 | 8.7% | $405,400 |
| Paradise | 7,392 | $67,687 | 18.2% | $416,000 |
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | 11.8% | $280,600 |
| Gridley | 7,330 | $57,974 | 17.9% | $312,800 |
| Thermalito | 6,720 | $54,865 | 20.4% | $254,900 |
| Durham | 5,340 | $95,417 | 10.2% | $700,100 |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | 20.2% | $283,000 |
| South Oroville | 2,846 | $65,409 | 33.7% | $261,500 |
Cities Similar to Forest Ranch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo Grande | 1,948 | $128,889 | $559,800 | 30.5% | 6.1% |
| San Pasqual | 1,918 | $123,317 | $1,301,000 | 64.7% | 7.4% |
| Centerville (Shasta County) | 1,954 | $122,500 | $595,900 | 43.4% | 4.3% |
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| Pine Valley | 1,786 | $132,772 | $627,800 | 27.4% | 2.9% |
Population Overview
Forest Ranch is a small community located in California, within Butte County. The total population is 1,915. It ranks as the 909th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Ranch is 43.8 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Forest Ranch has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Ranch is $131,650. This is 33% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 63% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 88% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $445,800. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 96.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 74% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forest Ranch has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.5% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 86.2%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Ranch, 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 Forest Ranch, California?
Forest Ranch, California has a population of 1,915 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Ranch, CA?
The median household income in Forest Ranch is $131,650, which is 63% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Ranch, CA?
The poverty rate in Forest Ranch is 1.5%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Ranch, California?
Forest Ranch's population is 88.5% White, 0.0% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Ranch, CA?
The median home value in Forest Ranch is $445,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Forest Ranch, California?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Forest Ranch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.