Fountain Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fountain Valley, California had a total population of 56,258, the 166th largest city in California, with a median household income of $115,237, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.
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 9.3x the median household income.
Fountain Valley Quick Facts
How Fountain Valley 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 | 56,358 | 56,258 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $111,797 | $115,237 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $1,018,600 | $1,072,300 | +5.3% |
How Fountain Valley 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+)
Fountain Valley Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
Cities Similar to Fountain Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | 55,170 | $113,516 | $1,441,800 | 57.4% | 8.6% |
| Beaumont | 56,266 | $107,118 | $503,500 | 27.4% | 10.0% |
| Petaluma | 59,247 | $115,430 | $878,600 | 43.8% | 6.5% |
| Santee | 59,332 | $113,394 | $727,200 | 35.0% | 7.9% |
| Hacienda Heights | 54,291 | $109,193 | $820,800 | 35.1% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Fountain Valley is a mid-sized community located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 56,258. It ranks as the 166th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fountain Valley is 44.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fountain Valley is $115,237. This is 16% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,072,300. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fountain Valley is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 36.7%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (17.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (36.7% vs 15.3%).
Education
46.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fountain Valley, 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 Fountain Valley, California?
Fountain Valley, California has a population of 56,258 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fountain Valley, CA?
The median household income in Fountain Valley is $115,237, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fountain Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Fountain Valley is 8.0%. This means approximately 4,488 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fountain Valley, California?
Fountain Valley's population is 37.6% White, 1.6% Black, 17.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 36.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fountain Valley, CA?
The median home value in Fountain Valley is $1,072,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Fountain Valley, California?
46.4% of adults (25+) in Fountain Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.