Gustine, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gustine, California had a total population of 6,133, the 610th largest city in California, with a median household income of $59,532, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in California.
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Gustine Quick Facts
How Gustine 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 | 6,118 | 6,133 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $58,321 | $59,532 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $422,500 | $441,700 | +4.5% |
How Gustine 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+)
Gustine Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Los Banos | 47,593 | $68,171 | 17.3% | $440,900 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
| Dos Palos | 5,765 | $42,367 | 17.6% | $299,500 |
Cities Similar to Gustine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruitridge Pocket | 6,095 | $62,528 | $362,200 | 21.9% | 30.7% |
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | $304,700 | 9.7% | 12.4% |
| Willows | 6,190 | $64,068 | $281,700 | 15.8% | 19.3% |
| Joshua Tree | 6,234 | $66,291 | $334,200 | 27.0% | 22.6% |
| Lucerne Valley | 5,957 | $54,788 | $269,100 | 21.1% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Gustine is a small city located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 6,133. It ranks as the 610th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gustine is 44.1 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gustine is $59,532. This is 40% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 11.3%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $441,700. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gustine is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 75.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gustine, 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 Gustine, California?
Gustine, California has a population of 6,133 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gustine, CA?
The median household income in Gustine is $59,532, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gustine, CA?
The poverty rate in Gustine is 4.0%. This means approximately 248 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gustine, California?
Gustine's population is 32.3% White, 0.8% Black, 56.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gustine, CA?
The median home value in Gustine is $441,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Gustine, California?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Gustine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.