Irvine, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Irvine, California had a total population of 311,690, the 14th largest city in California, with a median household income of $136,719, which is 38% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 70.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.7x the median household income.
Irvine Quick Facts
How Irvine 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 | 308,160 | 311,690 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $136,719 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $1,115,400 | $1,191,500 | +6.8% |
How Irvine 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+)
Irvine Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
| Lake Forest | 86,281 | $135,175 | 8.5% | $937,000 |
Cities Similar to Irvine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | $713,000 | 18.3% | 10.8% |
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | $584,800 | 25.7% | 12.2% |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | $758,700 | 33.2% | 8.8% |
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | $831,200 | 29.7% | 12.4% |
| Stockton | 322,326 | $79,907 | $440,900 | 20.0% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Irvine is a major urban center located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 311,690. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Irvine is 34.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Irvine is $136,719. This is 38% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 69% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,191,500. Housing costs are 62% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Irvine is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.3%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (11.4%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (44.6% vs 15.3%).
Education
70.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Irvine in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 90% 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 96.7%. Notably, 31.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Irvine, 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 Irvine, California?
Irvine, California has a population of 311,690 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Irvine, CA?
The median household income in Irvine is $136,719, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Irvine, CA?
The poverty rate in Irvine is 10.8%. This means approximately 32,206 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Irvine, California?
Irvine's population is 34.3% White, 1.9% Black, 11.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 44.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Irvine, CA?
The median home value in Irvine is $1,191,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.7x.
How educated is Irvine, California?
70.6% of adults (25+) in Irvine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.