Hercules, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hercules, California had a total population of 26,302, the 290th largest city in California, with a median household income of $129,397, which is 31% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 73/100).
Hercules Quick Facts
How Hercules 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 | 26,245 | 26,302 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $130,583 | $129,397 | -0.9% |
| Median home value | $741,200 | $769,400 | +3.8% |
How Hercules 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hercules Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Contra Costa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | 8.2% | $797,600 |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | 11.4% | $629,700 |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | 13.6% | $668,200 |
| San Ramon | 85,993 | $196,161 | 4.4% | $1,509,500 |
| Pittsburg | 76,257 | $99,861 | 11.2% | $597,900 |
| Walnut Creek | 70,088 | $130,432 | 6.4% | $1,057,300 |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | 8.3% | $836,600 |
| Oakley | 45,183 | $137,677 | 6.1% | $660,200 |
| Danville | 43,401 | $232,216 | 3.8% | $1,681,700 |
| Martinez | 36,903 | $127,355 | 6.3% | $859,800 |
Cities Similar to Hercules
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena | 26,068 | $127,175 | $1,640,000 | 73.5% | 4.9% |
| El Cerrito | 25,994 | $127,876 | $1,124,400 | 67.6% | 6.9% |
| Windsor | 26,081 | $133,979 | $801,100 | 36.3% | 5.9% |
| Walnut | 27,611 | $129,449 | $1,014,000 | 57.3% | 10.1% |
| Benicia | 26,749 | $121,204 | $810,000 | 47.6% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Hercules is a mid-sized community located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 26,302. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hercules is 43.9 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hercules is $129,397. This is 31% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 60% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $769,400. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 79.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hercules is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (18.3% vs 5.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (14.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (44.1% vs 15.3%).
Education
46.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% higher 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 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hercules, 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 Hercules, California?
Hercules, California has a population of 26,302 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hercules, CA?
The median household income in Hercules is $129,397, which is 60% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hercules, CA?
The poverty rate in Hercules is 5.6%. This means approximately 1,459 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hercules, California?
Hercules's population is 14.4% White, 18.3% Black, 14.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 44.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hercules, CA?
The median home value in Hercules is $769,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Hercules, California?
46.1% of adults (25+) in Hercules hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.