Hawthorne, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hawthorne, California had a total population of 85,191, the 101st largest city in California, with a median household income of $75,848, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.4x the median household income.
Hawthorne Quick Facts
How Hawthorne 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 | 85,933 | 85,191 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $72,719 | $75,848 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $813,700 | $863,400 | +6.1% |
How Hawthorne 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+)
Hawthorne Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to Hawthorne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Heights | 86,995 | $82,314 | $454,600 | 23.9% | 8.6% |
| South Gate | 91,483 | $74,571 | $636,300 | 11.3% | 12.7% |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | $458,400 | 20.5% | 11.5% |
| Compton | 92,698 | $78,465 | $580,200 | 10.6% | 17.9% |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | $858,300 | 25.9% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Hawthorne is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 85,191. It ranks as the 101st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hawthorne is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hawthorne is $75,848. This is 23% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $863,400. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 27.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hawthorne is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.8% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 79.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, California?
Hawthorne, California has a population of 85,191 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hawthorne, CA?
The median household income in Hawthorne is $75,848, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hawthorne, CA?
The poverty rate in Hawthorne is 15.5%. This means approximately 13,100 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hawthorne, California?
Hawthorne's population is 9.2% White, 24.8% Black, 54.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hawthorne, CA?
The median home value in Hawthorne is $863,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.4x.
How educated is Hawthorne, California?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Hawthorne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.