Fullerton, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fullerton, California had a total population of 140,968, the 42nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $104,286, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
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 8.7x the median household income.
Fullerton Quick Facts
How Fullerton 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 | 141,278 | 140,968 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $104,286 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $859,600 | $902,600 | +5.0% |
How Fullerton 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+)
Fullerton 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 |
| 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 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Fullerton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | $1,093,300 | 56.1% | 13.3% |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | $1,074,700 | 54.0% | 7.8% |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | $945,800 | 39.7% | 9.5% |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | $714,500 | 28.9% | 12.2% |
| Visalia | 143,939 | $81,989 | $371,500 | 24.1% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Fullerton is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 140,968. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fullerton is 36.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fullerton is $104,286. This is 5% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 29% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 3% 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 $902,600. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fullerton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.4%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (24.6% vs 15.3%).
Education
43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 87.5%. Notably, 15.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fullerton, 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 Fullerton, California?
Fullerton, California has a population of 140,968 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fullerton, CA?
The median household income in Fullerton is $104,286, which is 29% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fullerton, CA?
The poverty rate in Fullerton is 12.3%. This means approximately 17,087 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fullerton, California?
Fullerton's population is 29.4% White, 1.8% Black, 40.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 24.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fullerton, CA?
The median home value in Fullerton is $902,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is Fullerton, California?
43.5% of adults (25+) in Fullerton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.