Laguna Beach city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Laguna Beach city is a small city located in California. The total population is 22,777. It ranks as the 322nd most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Laguna Beach city is 52.3 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 10.6% 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 Laguna Beach city is $140,508. This is 46% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 79% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $2,000,001. Housing costs are 188% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 14.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Laguna Beach city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.5% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

67.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Laguna Beach city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 84% 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 97.5%. Notably, 28.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Laguna Beach city, 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.