Lancaster, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lancaster, California had a total population of 169,169, the 31st largest city in California, with a median household income of $81,511, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Lancaster Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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 | 159,028 | 169,169 | +6.4% |
| Median household income | $67,981 | $81,511 | +19.9% |
| Median home value¹ | $321,707 | $446,600 | +38.8% |
| Median gross rent | $1,495 | $1,764 | +18.0% |
How Lancaster 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: 23.5%
- Black: 19.1%
- Hispanic: 48.2%
- Asian: 4.1%
- Other: 0.7%
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: 18.6%
- HS Diploma: 29.1%
- Some College: 23.7%
- Associate's: 8.7%
- Bachelor's: 12.1%
- Graduate+: 7.9%
Lancaster Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
| Downey | 110,939 | $90,699 | 9.0% | $796,600 |
Cities Similar to Lancaster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | $471,000 | 17.1% | 15.7% |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | $814,100 | 25.3% | 12.3% |
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | 16.5% | 13.6% |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | $607,600 | 22.5% | 12.4% |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | $770,300 | 36.1% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Lancaster is a major urban center located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 169,169. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster is 34.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster is $81,511. This is 18% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $446,600. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lancaster is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.1% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 81.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, California?
Lancaster, California has a population of 169,169 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster, CA?
The median household income in Lancaster is $81,511, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, CA?
The poverty rate in Lancaster is 15.6%. This means approximately 25,484 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster, California?
Lancaster's population is 23.5% White, 19.1% Black, 48.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster, CA?
The median home value in Lancaster is $446,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Lancaster, California?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.