Laguna Niguel, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laguna Niguel, California had a total population of 64,139, the 144th largest city in California, with a median household income of $140,452, which is 42% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.5x the median household income.
Laguna Niguel Quick Facts
How Laguna Niguel 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 | 64,023 | 64,139 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $140,605 | $140,452 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $1,123,000 | $1,190,900 | +6.0% |
How Laguna Niguel 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+)
Laguna Niguel 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 Niguel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Clemente | 63,273 | $140,062 | $1,398,400 | 53.8% | 5.8% |
| South San Francisco | 64,305 | $136,578 | $1,188,800 | 40.8% | 6.7% |
| Castro Valley | 65,001 | $142,779 | $1,104,600 | 44.5% | 6.7% |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | $836,600 | 39.3% | 8.3% |
| Union City | 67,464 | $133,715 | $1,104,900 | 45.1% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Laguna Niguel is a mid-sized community located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 64,139. It ranks as the 144th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laguna Niguel is 47.6 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laguna Niguel is $140,452. This is 42% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 74% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,190,900. Housing costs are 62% 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. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laguna Niguel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.0% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (14.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
59.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 96.7%. Notably, 25.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laguna Niguel, 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 Niguel, California?
Laguna Niguel, California has a population of 64,139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laguna Niguel, CA?
The median household income in Laguna Niguel is $140,452, which is 74% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laguna Niguel, CA?
The poverty rate in Laguna Niguel is 6.4%. This means approximately 4,091 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laguna Niguel, California?
Laguna Niguel's population is 65.0% White, 1.1% Black, 14.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laguna Niguel, CA?
The median home value in Laguna Niguel is $1,190,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is Laguna Niguel, California?
59.8% of adults (25+) in Laguna Niguel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.