Fresno, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fresno, California had a total population of 545,970, the 5th largest city in California, with a median household income of $70,991, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fresno is the 5th largest city in California with a population of 545,970.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Fresno Quick Facts
How Fresno 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 | 543,615 | 545,970 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $70,991 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $348,500 | $374,800 | +7.5% |
How Fresno 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+)
Fresno Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Fresno County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | 8.0% | $482,700 |
| Sanger | 26,699 | $77,500 | 15.8% | $364,800 |
| Reedley | 25,609 | $63,307 | 22.3% | $334,800 |
| Selma | 24,659 | $60,241 | 19.0% | $315,300 |
| Coalinga | 17,203 | $75,451 | 21.7% | $262,400 |
| Kerman | 16,815 | $59,799 | 21.3% | $370,900 |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | 27.1% | $256,400 |
| Kingsburg | 12,755 | $76,913 | 10.8% | $373,800 |
| Mendota | 12,577 | $50,342 | 27.5% | $281,000 |
| Orange Cove | 9,695 | $46,629 | 34.0% | $254,000 |
Cities Similar to Fresno
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento | 528,706 | $87,321 | $506,300 | 37.1% | 13.9% |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | $806,600 | 35.6% | 14.8% |
| Bakersfield | 411,986 | $80,540 | $371,700 | 23.6% | 16.3% |
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | $929,900 | 48.8% | 13.4% |
| Stockton | 322,326 | $79,907 | $440,900 | 20.0% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Fresno is a major urban center located in California, within Fresno County. The total population is 545,970. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fresno is 32.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fresno is $70,991. This is 28% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $374,800. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 50.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fresno is Hispanic or Latino, making up 50.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.8%.
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fresno, 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 Fresno, California?
Fresno, California has a population of 545,970 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fresno, CA?
The median household income in Fresno is $70,991, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fresno, CA?
The poverty rate in Fresno is 20.1%. This means approximately 107,783 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fresno, California?
Fresno's population is 23.8% White, 6.5% Black, 50.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fresno, CA?
The median home value in Fresno is $374,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Fresno, California?
25.5% of adults (25+) in Fresno hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.