Grass Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grass Valley, California had a total population of 14,113, the 416th largest city in California, with a median household income of $51,764, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
Grass Valley Quick Facts
How Grass Valley 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 | 14,126 | 14,113 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,850 | $51,764 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $458,400 | $482,200 | +5.2% |
How Grass Valley 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+)
Grass Valley Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Nevada County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truckee | 17,066 | $130,462 | 8.9% | $947,900 |
| Alta Sierra (Nevada County) | 7,361 | $105,603 | 6.3% | $563,700 |
| Lake of the Pines | 5,461 | $121,682 | 8.5% | $664,300 |
| Lake Wildwood | 4,792 | $85,771 | 8.2% | $551,800 |
| Nevada City | 3,172 | $75,792 | 8.9% | $677,400 |
| Penn Valley | 1,678 | $64,737 | 9.3% | $500,700 |
| Rough and Ready | 736 | $102,725 | 1.2% | $691,500 |
| North San Juan | 179 | N/A | 50.8% | $549,600 |
| Soda Springs | 150 | N/A | 15.3% | $840,000 |
| Washington | 129 | N/A | 23.3% | $323,900 |
Cities Similar to Grass Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bluff | 14,549 | $51,529 | $299,900 | 11.7% | 18.8% |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | $256,400 | 5.6% | 27.1% |
| McFarland | 14,222 | $54,608 | $272,700 | 6.0% | 24.1% |
| Avenal | 13,608 | $54,741 | $228,900 | 2.8% | 19.1% |
| Susanville | 14,177 | $61,641 | $235,500 | 11.4% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Grass Valley is a small city located in California, within Nevada County. The total population is 14,113. It ranks as the 416th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grass Valley is 49.6 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 16.0% 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 is $51,764. This is 48% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 84% 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 7.4%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $482,200. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 40.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grass Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
32.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grass Valley, 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 Grass Valley, California?
Grass Valley, California has a population of 14,113 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grass Valley, CA?
The median household income in Grass Valley is $51,764, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grass Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Grass Valley is 22.1%. This means approximately 2,994 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grass Valley, California?
Grass Valley's population is 80.2% White, 0.4% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grass Valley, CA?
The median home value in Grass Valley is $482,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Grass Valley, California?
32.8% of adults (25+) in Grass Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.