Fort Bragg, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Bragg, California had a total population of 7,032, the 580th largest city in California, with a median household income of $56,481, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.5x the median household income.
Fort Bragg Quick Facts
How Fort Bragg 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 | 7,001 | 7,032 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $53,580 | $56,481 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $481,200 | $535,400 | +11.3% |
How Fort Bragg 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+)
Fort Bragg Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Mendocino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukiah | 16,304 | $66,160 | 17.9% | $458,400 |
| Willits | 4,920 | $63,447 | 9.9% | $371,100 |
| Brooktrails | 4,398 | $116,056 | 5.4% | $371,700 |
| Redwood Valley | 1,898 | $63,563 | 17.3% | $651,200 |
| Covelo | 1,286 | $34,583 | 36.5% | $360,000 |
| Talmage | 1,128 | $44,647 | 23.0% | $437,500 |
| Hopland | 983 | $91,786 | 14.1% | $612,200 |
| Point Arena | 789 | $108,095 | 10.1% | $436,000 |
| Anchor Bay | 771 | $88,194 | 4.2% | $1,605,500 |
| Laytonville | 720 | $37,656 | 18.2% | $378,100 |
Cities Similar to Fort Bragg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | $280,600 | 17.3% | 11.8% |
| Gridley | 7,330 | $57,974 | $312,800 | 13.6% | 17.9% |
| Earlimart | 7,214 | $52,881 | $264,200 | 3.9% | 21.8% |
| Thermalito | 6,720 | $54,865 | $254,900 | 10.6% | 20.4% |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | $308,200 | 13.2% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Fort Bragg is a small city located in California, within Mendocino County. The total population is 7,032. It ranks as the 580th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Bragg is 49.0 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Bragg is $56,481. This is 43% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $535,400. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Bragg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (59.4% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Bragg, 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 Fort Bragg, California?
Fort Bragg, California has a population of 7,032 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Bragg, CA?
The median household income in Fort Bragg is $56,481, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Bragg, CA?
The poverty rate in Fort Bragg is 18.2%. This means approximately 1,251 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Bragg, California?
Fort Bragg's population is 59.4% White, 0.6% Black, 30.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Bragg, CA?
The median home value in Fort Bragg is $535,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.5x.
How educated is Fort Bragg, California?
26.4% of adults (25+) in Fort Bragg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.