Kensington, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kensington, California had a total population of 5,179, the 650th largest community in California, with a median household income of $237,130, which is 139% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 139% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.6% — among the lowest in California.
- 83.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
Kensington Quick Facts
How Kensington 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 | 5,292 | 5,179 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $209,137 | $237,130 | +13.4% |
| Median home value | $1,412,500 | $1,539,000 | +9.0% |
How Kensington 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kensington 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 Kensington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside | 5,126 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 76.2% | 4.5% |
| El Granada | 5,232 | $213,347 | $1,424,700 | 61.0% | 5.4% |
| Las Flores (Orange County) | 5,513 | $211,782 | $1,119,100 | 58.4% | 4.8% |
| Camino Tassajara | 5,831 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 73.9% | 6.5% |
| Villa Park | 5,748 | $202,245 | $1,871,700 | 54.5% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Kensington is a small city located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 5,179. It ranks as the 650th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kensington is 46.6 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kensington is $237,130. This is 139% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 194% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 70% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,539,000. Housing costs are 109% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 86.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kensington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (67.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
83.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kensington in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 126% 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 99.6%. Notably, 52.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kensington, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kensington, California?
Kensington, California has a population of 5,179 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kensington, CA?
The median household income in Kensington is $237,130, which is 194% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kensington, CA?
The poverty rate in Kensington is 3.6%. This means approximately 186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kensington, California?
Kensington's population is 67.2% White, 2.4% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kensington, CA?
The median home value in Kensington is $1,539,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Kensington, California?
83.8% of adults (25+) in Kensington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 52.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.