Hayfork, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hayfork, California had a total population of 2,537, the 846th largest community in California, with a median household income of $44,434, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Hayfork Quick Facts
How Hayfork Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,711 | 2,537 | No clear change (-6.4%) |
| Median household income | $41,913 | $44,434 | No clear change (+6.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $363,674 | $336,600 | No clear change (-7.4%) |
| Median gross rent | $849 | $840 | No clear change (-1.1%) |
How Hayfork Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 89.7%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 8.2%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 13.3%
- HS Diploma: 47.3%
- Some College: 9.1%
- Associate's: 1.0%
- Bachelor's: 23.8%
- Graduate+: 5.5%
Hayfork Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Trinity County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weaverville | 4,018 | $65,787 | 17.5% | $339,300 |
| Lewiston | 2,020 | $39,968 | 17.6% | $310,300 |
| Junction City | 1,190 | $48,250 | 16.1% | $283,300 |
| Douglas City | 1,060 | $31,827 | 28.5% | $334,200 |
| Salyer | 487 | $55,000 | 0.0% | $383,300 |
| Ruth | 480 | $78,247 | 7.9% | N/A |
| Trinity Center | 414 | $58,750 | 17.4% | $343,800 |
| Burnt Ranch | 318 | $49,226 | 27.0% | $494,400 |
| Coffee Creek | 280 | $76,250 | 6.1% | $372,600 |
| Mad River | 272 | N/A | 8.5% | $253,700 |
Cities Similar to Hayfork
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portola | 2,441 | $44,492 | $231,300 | 11.7% | 22.3% |
| Strathmore | 2,675 | $43,387 | $213,200 | 1.5% | 32.6% |
| Homestead Valley | 2,689 | $45,323 | $245,900 | 13.6% | 28.0% |
| Nice | 2,569 | $52,014 | $172,800 | 20.1% | 16.0% |
| Frazier Park | 2,681 | $47,930 | $371,600 | 32.8% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
Hayfork is a small community located in California, within Trinity County. The total population is 2,537. It ranks as the 846th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hayfork is 60.3 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 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 Hayfork is $44,434. This is 55% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.3%. This is 269% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Hayfork, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $336,600. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hayfork has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (89.7% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.2%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hayfork, 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 Hayfork, California?
Hayfork, California has a population of 2,537 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hayfork, CA?
The median household income in Hayfork is $44,434, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hayfork, CA?
The poverty rate in Hayfork is 44.3%. This means approximately 1,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hayfork, California?
Hayfork's population is 89.7% White, 0.0% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hayfork, CA?
The median home value in Hayfork is $336,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Hayfork, California?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Hayfork hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.