Ladera Ranch CDP, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ladera Ranch CDP is a small city located in California. The total population is 23,609. It ranks as the 314th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ladera Ranch CDP is 35.3 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 35.8% of the population under 18, Ladera Ranch CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ladera Ranch CDP is $184,257. This is 91% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 135% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 66% 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 3.3%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $1,046,600. Housing costs are 51% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ladera Ranch CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 14.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.9% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.6%) is well below the state average of 39.8%.

Education

65.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ladera Ranch CDP in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%. Notably, 24.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ladera Ranch CDP, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.