Lake Mathews, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Mathews, California had a total population of 6,527, the 598th largest community in California, with a median household income of $94,444, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.1x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Lake Mathews Quick Facts
How Lake Mathews Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,792 | 6,527 | No clear change (-3.9%) |
| Median household income | $125,764 | $94,444 | -24.9% |
| Median home value¹ | $648,091 | $760,900 | +17.4% |
| Median gross rent | $1,818 | $1,866 | No clear change (+2.7%) |
How Lake Mathews Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 36.7%
- Black: 10.6%
- Hispanic: 45.7%
- Asian: 2.0%
- Other: 2.3%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 21.5%
- HS Diploma: 23.6%
- Some College: 17.7%
- Associate's: 11.4%
- Bachelor's: 18.5%
- Graduate+: 7.2%
Lake Mathews Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to Lake Mathews
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castroville | 6,720 | $89,354 | $617,100 | 5.1% | 18.4% |
| Desert Palms | 6,579 | $79,792 | $567,400 | 46.3% | 9.6% |
| South Monrovia Island | 6,830 | $104,444 | $680,900 | 25.2% | 7.2% |
| Happy Valley | 5,944 | $92,222 | $334,100 | 14.1% | 8.9% |
| Cambria | 5,978 | $99,147 | $930,200 | 48.8% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Lake Mathews is a small city located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 6,527. It ranks as the 598th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Mathews is 40.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Mathews is $94,444. This is 5% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 17% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $760,900. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Mathews is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.6% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower 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 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Mathews, 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 Lake Mathews, California?
Lake Mathews, California has a population of 6,527 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Mathews, CA?
The median household income in Lake Mathews is $94,444, which is 17% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Mathews, CA?
The poverty rate in Lake Mathews is 8.1%. This means approximately 527 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Mathews, California?
Lake Mathews's population is 36.7% White, 10.6% Black, 45.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Mathews, CA?
The median home value in Lake Mathews is $760,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.
How educated is Lake Mathews, California?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Lake Mathews hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.