Lucerne Valley, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lucerne Valley, California had a total population of 5,957, the 619th largest community in California, with a median household income of $54,788, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 18.6% is notably above the national average.
Lucerne Valley Quick Facts
How Lucerne Valley 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 | 5,946 | 5,957 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $50,330 | $54,788 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $240,000 | $269,100 | +12.1% |
How Lucerne Valley 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+)
Lucerne Valley Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Bernardino County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 222,724 | $67,415 | 18.6% | $422,300 |
| Fontana | 214,169 | $102,821 | 9.9% | $586,800 |
| Ontario | 180,547 | $88,941 | 12.4% | $607,600 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | 175,411 | $111,895 | 8.0% | $740,200 |
| Victorville | 137,627 | $74,410 | 18.4% | $385,600 |
| Rialto | 104,143 | $88,857 | 12.7% | $487,900 |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | 17.0% | $409,000 |
| Chino | 92,652 | $104,682 | 8.0% | $683,400 |
| Upland | 79,257 | $105,830 | 9.3% | $739,400 |
| Chino Hills | 77,927 | $126,334 | 7.6% | $874,900 |
Cities Similar to Lucerne Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | $304,700 | 9.7% | 12.4% |
| Gustine | 6,133 | $59,532 | $441,700 | 7.9% | 4.0% |
| Salton City | 5,988 | $47,827 | $200,600 | 7.4% | 14.4% |
| Fruitridge Pocket | 6,095 | $62,528 | $362,200 | 21.9% | 30.7% |
| Benton Park | 5,707 | $49,717 | $240,600 | 8.7% | 37.0% |
Population Overview
Lucerne Valley is a small city located in California, within San Bernardino County. The total population is 5,957. It ranks as the 619th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lucerne Valley is 45.5 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lucerne Valley is $54,788. This is 45% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 82% 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 18.6%. This is 182% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $269,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lucerne Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (58.0% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lucerne Valley, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lucerne Valley, California?
Lucerne Valley, California has a population of 5,957 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lucerne Valley, CA?
The median household income in Lucerne Valley is $54,788, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lucerne Valley, CA?
The poverty rate in Lucerne Valley is 21.9%. This means approximately 1,302 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lucerne Valley, California?
Lucerne Valley's population is 58.0% White, 5.1% Black, 28.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lucerne Valley, CA?
The median home value in Lucerne Valley is $269,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Lucerne Valley, California?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Lucerne Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.