French Gulch, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, French Gulch, California had a total population of 154, the 1409th largest community in California, with a median household income of $34,375, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 13.6% is notably above the national average.
French Gulch Quick Facts
How French Gulch 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 | 221 | 154 | -30.3% |
| Median household income | $32,188 | $34,375 | +6.8% |
How French Gulch 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
French Gulch Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Shasta County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redding | 93,409 | $70,466 | 14.1% | $382,300 |
| Anderson | 11,255 | $47,375 | 21.2% | $283,000 |
| Shasta Lake | 10,311 | $67,401 | 13.3% | $294,400 |
| Cottonwood (Shasta County) | 7,408 | $95,577 | 8.7% | $363,000 |
| Happy Valley | 5,944 | $92,222 | 8.9% | $334,100 |
| Bella Vista | 4,511 | $90,566 | 6.0% | $464,300 |
| Palo Cedro | 3,685 | $120,152 | 6.6% | $551,600 |
| Burney | 2,668 | $65,969 | 19.0% | $234,100 |
| Shingletown | 2,164 | $66,635 | 10.4% | $235,900 |
| Centerville (Shasta County) | 1,954 | $122,500 | 4.3% | $595,900 |
Cities Similar to French Gulch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cromberg | 154 | N/A | $341,400 | 7.8% | 0.0% |
| Topaz | 157 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tupman | 157 | N/A | N/A | 9.6% | 40.1% |
| Sisquoc | 158 | N/A | $573,900 | 25.7% | 20.9% |
| Camp Nelson | 150 | N/A | $248,600 | 15.3% | 5.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 154, French Gulch's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
French Gulch is a small community located in California, within Shasta County. The total population is 154. It ranks as the 1409th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in French Gulch is 60.9 years. This is 61% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in French Gulch is $34,375. This is 65% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in French Gulch. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The unemployment rate is 13.6%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. 87.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 56% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in French Gulch is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.0% vs 33.8%).
Education
11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for French Gulch, 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 French Gulch, California?
French Gulch, California has a population of 154 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in French Gulch, CA?
The median household income in French Gulch is $34,375, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in French Gulch, CA?
The ACS sample for French Gulch recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of French Gulch, California?
French Gulch's population is 74.0% White, 0.0% Black, 21.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in French Gulch, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for French Gulch — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is French Gulch, California?
11.4% of adults (25+) in French Gulch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.