Garden Grove, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garden Grove, California had a total population of 170,964, the 30th largest city in California, with a median household income of $92,174, which is 7% lower 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 8.8x the median household income.
Garden Grove Quick Facts
How Garden Grove 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 | 170,603 | 170,964 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $92,174 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $765,500 | $814,100 | +6.3% |
How Garden Grove 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+)
Garden Grove 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 |
| 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 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Garden Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $770,300 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | 16.5% | 13.6% |
| Santa Rosa | 177,090 | $99,060 | $713,900 | 35.1% | 9.7% |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | $446,600 | 20.0% | 15.6% |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | $607,600 | 22.5% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Garden Grove is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 170,964. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garden Grove is 40.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Garden Grove is $92,174. This is 7% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 14% 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 6.0%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $814,100. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Garden Grove is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.9%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (42.7% vs 15.3%).
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 74.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garden Grove, 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 Garden Grove, California?
Garden Grove, California has a population of 170,964 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garden Grove, CA?
The median household income in Garden Grove is $92,174, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garden Grove, CA?
The poverty rate in Garden Grove is 12.3%. This means approximately 20,913 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garden Grove, California?
Garden Grove's population is 15.9% White, 1.0% Black, 37.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 42.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garden Grove, CA?
The median home value in Garden Grove is $814,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Garden Grove, California?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Garden Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.