Los Molinos, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Los Molinos, California had a total population of 1,604, the 947th largest community in California, with a median household income of $35,000, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.1% is notably above the national average.
Los Molinos Quick Facts
How Los Molinos 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 | 1,746 | 1,604 | No clear change (-8.1%) |
| Median household income | $50,459 | $35,000 | No clear change (-30.6%) |
| Median home value¹ | $190,390 | $226,300 | No clear change (+18.9%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,306 | $1,113 | No clear change (-14.8%) |
How Los Molinos 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: 48.1%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 49.4%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.5%
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: 19.3%
- HS Diploma: 29.4%
- Some College: 33.8%
- Associate's: 8.2%
- Bachelor's: 3.6%
- Graduate+: 5.7%
Los Molinos Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Tehama County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bluff | 14,549 | $51,529 | 18.8% | $299,900 |
| Corning | 8,155 | $56,627 | 17.9% | $313,100 |
| Lake California | 3,808 | $92,051 | 9.7% | $352,800 |
| Rancho Tehama Reserve | 978 | $53,606 | 27.2% | $156,000 |
| Gerber | 885 | $35,353 | 27.8% | $135,500 |
| Proberta | 865 | N/A | 25.7% | $366,100 |
| Manton | 629 | $120,000 | 46.1% | $424,700 |
| Bend | 593 | N/A | 2.5% | $461,500 |
| Tehama | 366 | $70,893 | 2.7% | $318,900 |
| Vina | 243 | $40,811 | 49.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Los Molinos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown | 1,572 | N/A | $403,900 | 14.4% | 8.1% |
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| Casa Loma | 1,587 | $43,403 | $256,100 | 8.1% | 30.8% |
| Bodfish | 1,694 | $39,863 | $145,800 | 15.3% | 31.5% |
| Le Grand | 1,636 | $45,938 | $286,000 | 10.8% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Los Molinos is a small community located in California, within Tehama County. The total population is 1,604. It ranks as the 947th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Los Molinos is 38.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Los Molinos is $35,000. This is 65% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.4%. This is 186% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 13.1%. This is 98% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $226,300. Housing costs are 69% 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. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Los Molinos is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 48.1%.
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Los Molinos, 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 Molinos, California?
Los Molinos, California has a population of 1,604 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Los Molinos, CA?
The median household income in Los Molinos is $35,000, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Los Molinos, CA?
The poverty rate in Los Molinos is 34.4%. This means approximately 551 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Los Molinos, California?
Los Molinos's population is 48.1% White, 0.0% Black, 49.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Los Molinos, CA?
The median home value in Los Molinos is $226,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Los Molinos, California?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Los Molinos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.