Laguna Beach, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laguna Beach, California had a total population of 22,710, the 320th largest city in California, with a median household income of $143,843, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- 69.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 13.9x the median household income.
Laguna Beach Quick Facts
How Laguna Beach 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 | 22,777 | 22,710 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $140,508 | $143,843 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Laguna Beach 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+)
Laguna Beach 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 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Laguna Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millbrae | 22,689 | $163,476 | $1,934,900 | 52.7% | 6.0% |
| Calabasas | 22,669 | $165,288 | $1,504,500 | 73.3% | 8.8% |
| Stevenson Ranch | 20,990 | $158,434 | $1,085,500 | 59.1% | 4.2% |
| American Canyon | 21,691 | $121,700 | $692,600 | 32.7% | 9.3% |
| Ramona | 22,634 | $107,427 | $766,400 | 25.4% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Laguna Beach is a small city located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 22,710. It ranks as the 320th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laguna Beach is 53.9 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.9% 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 is $143,843. This is 45% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 78% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 25% lower 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 13.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laguna Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.8% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.6%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
69.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Laguna Beach in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 87% 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 97.6%. Notably, 29.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laguna Beach, 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 Laguna Beach, California?
Laguna Beach, California has a population of 22,710 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laguna Beach, CA?
The median household income in Laguna Beach is $143,843, which is 78% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laguna Beach, CA?
The poverty rate in Laguna Beach is 6.1%. This means approximately 1,392 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laguna Beach, California?
Laguna Beach's population is 78.8% White, 0.6% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laguna Beach, CA?
The median home value in Laguna Beach is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 13.9x.
How educated is Laguna Beach, California?
69.3% of adults (25+) in Laguna Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.