Los Banos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Los Banos, California had a total population of 47,593, the 198th largest city in California, with a median household income of $68,171, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Los Banos Quick Facts
How Los Banos 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 | 46,776 | 47,593 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $70,893 | $68,171 | -3.8% |
| Median home value | $419,600 | $440,900 | +5.1% |
How Los Banos 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Los Banos Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Merced County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | 23.9% | $372,600 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | 20.9% | $363,400 |
| Livingston | 14,606 | $74,494 | 17.1% | $372,700 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | 14.0% | $339,400 |
| Delhi | 11,009 | $67,500 | 15.5% | $349,700 |
| Franklin (Merced County) | 7,392 | $58,295 | 22.9% | $308,200 |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | 4.0% | $441,700 |
| Hilmar-Irwin | 6,132 | $79,948 | 12.8% | $449,600 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | 17.1% | $690,100 |
| Dos Palos | 5,765 | $42,367 | 17.6% | $299,500 |
Cities Similar to Los Banos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Highlands | 47,957 | $65,495 | $367,600 | 15.3% | 19.6% |
| San Luis Obispo | 48,491 | $73,685 | $935,100 | 54.4% | 30.4% |
| Florin | 50,211 | $71,111 | $386,900 | 14.0% | 15.7% |
| Rosemead | 50,013 | $73,566 | $807,200 | 21.6% | 13.7% |
| Palm Springs | 45,070 | $73,119 | $604,000 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Los Banos is a mid-sized community located in California, within Merced County. The total population is 47,593. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Los Banos is 30.3 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 31.0% of the population under 18, Los Banos has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Los Banos is $68,171. This is 31% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $440,900. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Los Banos is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.5%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 71.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Los Banos, 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 Banos, California?
Los Banos, California has a population of 47,593 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Los Banos, CA?
The median household income in Los Banos is $68,171, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Los Banos, CA?
The poverty rate in Los Banos is 17.3%. This means approximately 8,222 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Los Banos, California?
Los Banos's population is 19.5% White, 1.2% Black, 73.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Los Banos, CA?
The median home value in Los Banos is $440,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Los Banos, California?
12.5% of adults (25+) in Los Banos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.