Happy Camp CDP, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Happy Camp CDP is a small community located in California. The total population is 580. It ranks as the 1187th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Happy Camp CDP is 57.8 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.8% 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 Happy Camp CDP is $32,353. This is 66% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 108% 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 27.5%. This is 328% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $153,900. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 53.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Happy Camp CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (53.4% vs 34.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 89.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Happy Camp CDP, 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.