Gonzales, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gonzales, California had a total population of 8,492, the 529th largest city in California, with a median household income of $77,672, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
Gonzales Quick Facts
How Gonzales 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 | 8,526 | 8,492 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $76,060 | $77,672 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $593,900 | $618,800 | +4.2% |
How Gonzales 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gonzales Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Monterey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | 13.6% | $654,100 |
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | 16.0% | $787,100 |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | 9.8% | $1,076,300 |
| Soledad | 26,365 | $96,862 | 16.7% | $595,900 |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | 12.2% | $818,700 |
| Greenfield | 20,232 | $84,740 | 11.4% | $531,400 |
| Prunedale | 19,723 | $103,819 | 11.1% | $833,400 |
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | 7.6% | $1,190,400 |
| King City | 13,604 | $66,761 | 22.9% | $449,900 |
| Castroville | 6,720 | $89,354 | 18.4% | $617,100 |
Cities Similar to Gonzales
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Irwin | 8,419 | $76,107 | N/A | 34.8% | 8.7% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| Alondra Park | 8,373 | $87,169 | $835,100 | 27.7% | 12.2% |
| South San Gabriel | 7,923 | $76,806 | $690,400 | 22.9% | 6.8% |
| Guadalupe | 8,566 | $66,930 | $495,600 | 9.3% | 27.7% |
Population Overview
Gonzales is a small city located in California, within Monterey County. The total population is 8,492. It ranks as the 529th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gonzales is 28.2 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Gonzales has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gonzales is $77,672. This is 22% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $618,800. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gonzales has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (95.1% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 61.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gonzales, 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 Gonzales, California?
Gonzales, California has a population of 8,492 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gonzales, CA?
The median household income in Gonzales is $77,672, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gonzales, CA?
The poverty rate in Gonzales is 6.4%. This means approximately 540 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gonzales, California?
Gonzales's population is 3.8% White, 0.4% Black, 95.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gonzales, CA?
The median home value in Gonzales is $618,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Gonzales, California?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Gonzales hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.