Lucerne, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lucerne, California had a total population of 3,435, the 752nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $56,625, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Lucerne Quick Facts
How Lucerne 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 | 2,896 | 3,435 | No clear change (+18.6%) |
| Median household income | $55,347 | $56,625 | No clear change (+2.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $255,249 | $243,500 | No clear change (-4.6%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,012 | $1,408 | +39.2% |
How Lucerne 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: 68.6%
- Black: 3.3%
- Hispanic: 16.7%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.6%
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: 8.1%
- HS Diploma: 42.9%
- Some College: 31.3%
- Associate's: 11.5%
- Bachelor's: 2.3%
- Graduate+: 3.9%
Lucerne Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearlake | 16,659 | $41,867 | 25.5% | $214,200 |
| Hidden Valley Lake | 5,872 | $84,152 | 7.8% | $394,800 |
| Lakeport | 5,113 | $68,518 | 12.9% | $333,800 |
| Clearlake Riviera | 4,122 | $89,395 | 6.1% | $328,500 |
| Kelseyville | 4,011 | $45,663 | 23.1% | N/A |
| North Lakeport | 2,995 | $64,125 | 21.5% | $410,300 |
| Nice | 2,569 | $52,014 | 16.0% | $172,800 |
| Clearlake Oaks | 2,198 | $35,938 | 21.4% | $250,900 |
| Middletown | 1,572 | N/A | 8.1% | $403,900 |
| Upper Lake | 1,374 | $110,417 | 10.5% | $361,800 |
Cities Similar to Lucerne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire | 3,429 | $52,563 | $335,200 | 7.7% | 22.3% |
| Jamestown | 3,265 | $57,276 | $374,600 | 21.0% | 6.1% |
| Riverdale | 3,653 | $56,975 | $283,600 | 4.8% | 12.6% |
| North Shore | 3,515 | $51,795 | $203,900 | 1.5% | 7.6% |
| Squaw Valley | 3,361 | $49,904 | $271,700 | 27.5% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Lucerne is a small community located in California, within Lake County. The total population is 3,435. It ranks as the 752nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lucerne is 40.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 10.8% 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 is $56,625. This is 43% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. The median home value is $243,500. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lucerne is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (68.6% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lucerne, 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 Lucerne, California?
Lucerne, California has a population of 3,435 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lucerne, CA?
The median household income in Lucerne is $56,625, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lucerne, CA?
The poverty rate in Lucerne is 19.4%. This means approximately 658 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lucerne, California?
Lucerne's population is 68.6% White, 3.3% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lucerne, CA?
The median home value in Lucerne is $243,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Lucerne, California?
6.2% of adults (25+) in Lucerne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.