Lancaster city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lancaster city, California has a total population of 170,013, the 31st largest city in California, with a median household income of $76,083, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Lancaster city Quick Facts
How Lancaster city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lancaster city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Lancaster city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale city | 165,487 | $81,151 | $435,300 | 16.6% | 14.6% |
| Garden Grove city | 170,603 | $90,166 | $765,500 | 24.9% | 12.2% |
| Ontario city | 178,347 | $82,806 | $568,000 | 20.7% | 12.7% |
| Oceanside city | 172,542 | $93,724 | $702,000 | 34.3% | 8.1% |
| Salinas city | 161,993 | $89,150 | $610,900 | 15.5% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Lancaster city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 170,013. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster city is 34.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster city is $76,083. This is 21% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $409,100. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lancaster city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (21.0% vs 5.3%). The Asian population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower 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 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lancaster city, California?
Lancaster city, California has a population of 170,013 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster city, CA?
The median household income in Lancaster city is $76,083, which is 3% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster city, CA?
The poverty rate in Lancaster city is 15.5%. This means approximately 25,377 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster city, California?
Lancaster city's population is 24.4% White, 21.0% Black, 45.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster city, CA?
The median home value in Lancaster city is $409,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Lancaster city, California?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Lancaster city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.