Grass Valley city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Grass Valley city is a small city located in California. The total population is 14,126. It ranks as the 417th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Grass Valley city is 49.6 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 15.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Grass Valley city is $48,850. This is 49% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 73% 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 4.0%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $458,400. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 39.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Grass Valley city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.5% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.7%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Grass Valley city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.