Los Angeles, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Los Angeles, California had a total population of 3,857,263, the 1st largest city in California, with a median household income of $81,939, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles is the 1st largest city in California with a population of 3,857,263.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.2x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Los Angeles Quick Facts
How Los Angeles 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 | 3,857,897 | 3,857,263 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $81,939 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $879,500 | $921,200 | +4.7% |
How Los Angeles 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Los Angeles Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Downey | 110,939 | $90,699 | 9.0% | $796,600 |
Cities Similar to Los Angeles
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | $906,700 | 51.0% | 11.0% |
| San Jose | 990,138 | $146,427 | $1,233,200 | 47.3% | 8.1% |
| San Francisco | 830,235 | $140,970 | $1,394,500 | 60.3% | 11.2% |
| Sacramento | 528,706 | $87,321 | $506,300 | 37.1% | 13.9% |
| Fresno | 545,970 | $70,991 | $374,800 | 25.5% | 20.1% |
Population Overview
Los Angeles is a major urban center located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 3,857,263. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Los Angeles is 37.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Los Angeles is $81,939. This is 17% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $921,200. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 36.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Los Angeles is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.1% vs 5.2%).
Education
38.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles, California has a population of 3,857,263 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Los Angeles, CA?
The median household income in Los Angeles is $81,939, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Los Angeles, CA?
The poverty rate in Los Angeles is 16.6%. This means approximately 625,507 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles's population is 28.1% White, 8.1% Black, 47.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Los Angeles, CA?
The median home value in Los Angeles is $921,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.2x.
How educated is Los Angeles, California?
38.5% of adults (25+) in Los Angeles hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.