Ladera, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ladera, California had a total population of 1,297, the 998th largest community in California, with a median household income of $235,750, which is 138% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 138% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in California.
- 90.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.5x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Ladera Quick Facts
How Ladera 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 | 1,160 | 1,297 | +11.8% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $235,750 | -5.7% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Ladera 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ladera Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Mateo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | 103,105 | $153,504 | 8.2% | $1,618,700 |
| Daly City | 101,964 | $123,547 | 7.7% | $1,115,000 |
| Redwood City | 82,447 | $157,814 | 6.3% | $1,801,700 |
| South San Francisco | 64,305 | $136,578 | 6.7% | $1,188,800 |
| San Bruno | 42,307 | $141,272 | 6.0% | $1,207,500 |
| Pacifica | 37,261 | $160,523 | 5.8% | $1,249,800 |
| Foster City | 32,792 | $199,143 | 4.1% | $1,838,200 |
| Menlo Park | 32,727 | $210,025 | 5.8% | $2,000,000+ |
| Burlingame | 30,525 | $174,000 | 7.1% | $2,000,000+ |
| San Carlos | 29,614 | $237,470 | 3.3% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Ladera
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trabuco Canyon | 1,326 | $229,239 | $1,303,700 | 65.3% | 7.2% |
| Avila Beach | 1,303 | $218,259 | $1,243,300 | 80.9% | 4.8% |
| La Honda | 1,269 | $250,000+ | $935,500 | 76.6% | 5.0% |
| Diablo | 1,232 | $248,150 | $2,000,000+ | 72.3% | 13.2% |
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Ladera is a small community located in California, within San Mateo County. The total population is 1,297. It ranks as the 998th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ladera is 59.6 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 13.5% 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 Ladera is $235,750. This is 138% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 192% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 88% 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 10.7%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 172% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 96.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 72% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ladera is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 7.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (83.1% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
90.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ladera in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 143% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 72.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ladera, 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 Ladera, California?
Ladera, California has a population of 1,297 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ladera, CA?
The median household income in Ladera is $235,750, which is 192% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ladera, CA?
The poverty rate in Ladera is 1.5%. This means approximately 19 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ladera, California?
Ladera's population is 83.1% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ladera, CA?
The median home value in Ladera is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is Ladera, California?
90.0% of adults (25+) in Ladera hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 72.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.