Lawndale, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawndale, California had a total population of 30,781, the 264th largest city in California, with a median household income of $85,441, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.2x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Lawndale Quick Facts
How Lawndale 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 | 32,819 | 30,781 | -6.2% |
| Median household income | $76,320 | $85,441 | +12.0% |
| Median home value¹ | $637,507 | $781,900 | +22.6% |
| Median gross rent | $1,815 | $1,938 | +6.8% |
How Lawndale 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: 14.4%
- Black: 6.4%
- Hispanic: 65.1%
- Asian: 11.1%
- Other: 0.1%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 27.6%
- HS Diploma: 26.2%
- Some College: 19.0%
- Associate's: 6.7%
- Bachelor's: 14.8%
- Graduate+: 5.9%
Lawndale 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 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Lawndale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | $787,100 | 29.6% | 16.0% |
| Santa Paula | 31,376 | $79,294 | $611,200 | 15.1% | 14.2% |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,446 | $92,228 | $687,200 | 29.7% | 13.1% |
| San Pablo | 31,720 | $79,478 | $551,700 | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Atascadero | 29,712 | $91,429 | $716,500 | 31.6% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Lawndale is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 30,781. It ranks as the 264th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawndale is 36.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawndale is $85,441. This is 14% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.7%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $781,900. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 37.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawndale is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.1% vs 40.2%).
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 72.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lawndale, 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 Lawndale, California?
Lawndale, California has a population of 30,781 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawndale, CA?
The median household income in Lawndale is $85,441, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawndale, CA?
The poverty rate in Lawndale is 13.0%. This means approximately 3,992 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawndale, California?
Lawndale's population is 14.4% White, 6.4% Black, 65.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawndale, CA?
The median home value in Lawndale is $781,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.2x.
How educated is Lawndale, California?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Lawndale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.